A preliminary double-blind, randomized trial was carried out in general practice to compare the efficacy of treatment with diflunisal (500 mg) twice daily and a combination of dextropropoxyphene (65 mg) plus paracetemol (650 mg) 3-times daily for 3 days in relieving pain associated with strains and sprains. Analysis of the results from 51 patients showed that both treatments were equally effective in releiving spontaneous pain and pain on movement after 1 and 3 days, and there were no differences between the two groups in patients' overall evaluation of treatment or physicians' assessment of therapeutic response. Both treatments were well tolerated during the short-term period of the trial.