We compared naproxen sodium (550 mg) and propoxyphene napsylate with acetaminophen (PN/A, 100 mg with 650 mg) for pain relief after arthroscopy or arthroscopic meniscectomy. Fifty-two patients entered this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel trial. In each drug group, pain intensity values dropped consistently throughout this six-hour study from mean baseline levels of approximately 55 on a scale of 0 to 100. Pain intensity values were lower at each hour in the naproxen sodium than in the PN/A group and significantly lower at hour 1 (P = .008). Pain intensity differences (PID, reflecting change from baseline) mirrored this trend: greater mean PIDs were seen in the naproxen sodium group at each hour, and this difference between drug groups was statistically significant at hour 1 (P = .017). One patient in the naproxen sodium group and seven patients using PN/A took a second dose within the six hours. Patients in each drug group reported five complaints.