This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To review the evidence from controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of topically applied NSAIDs in acute pain (mainly strains and sprains, but excluding postsurgical pain where topical NSAIDs are not used). Topical NSAIDs will be compared with topical placebos, with differences between individual NSAIDs investigated by indirect comparison, since few, if any, studies examine two topical preparations head to head (Mason 2004a). In addition, any topical NSAID will be compared with any oral NSAID.