Table 1 Patient characteristics and trial progress

Name^a	Age	Regular medication prior to trial	Trial completion	Result of trial	Treatment decision
Standard vs heat retaining knee support – trials commencing December 2001 to February 2002
Ann	67	solpadol, meloxicam, amitryptiline	Completed	Heat retaining support beneficial	Continued use of heat retaining support
Mel	54	dihydrocodeine, co-dydramol, amitryptiline	Withdrew after 6 weeks – intolerance to supports		No further use of supports
Amber	49	no regular medication, occasional paracetamol	Completed	Heat retaining support beneficial	Continued use of heat retaining support
Lyn	54	rofecoxib, dihydrocodeine, paracetamol	Completed	No benefit from either support	No further use of supports
Pansy^b	51	rofecoxib	Completed	No benefit from either support	No further use of supports
Diclofenac vs paracetamol – trials commencing September 2003 to October 2003
Pansy^b	53	Rofecoxib	Withdrew after 6 weeks – diclofenac side-effect (stomach pains)		Returned to previous treatment
Rosie	31	Paracetamol	Withdrew after 2 weeks – diclofenac side-effect (mouth ulcers)		Returned to previous treatment
Jack	59	no regular medication	Completed	No benefit from either drug	No regular medication (paracetamol when necessary)
George	61	cod liver oil only	Completed	Diclofenac superior	Continued with diclofenac