Efficacy of Ozone Therapy in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Referred to the Pain Clinic

Cyrus Emir  Alavi; Shayan  Samari; Sepideh  Atefrad; Sara  Sharifnia; Habib Eslami  Kenarsari; Mohaya  Farzin

doi:10.18502/jimc.v9i1.20498

Cyrus Emir Alavi Neuroscience Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Shayan Samari Razi Clinical Research Development Unit, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Sepideh Atefrad Razi Clinical Research Development Unit, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Sara Sharifnia Razi Clinical Research Development Unit, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Habib Eslami Kenarsari Razi Clinical Research Development Unit, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Mohaya Farzin Razi Clinical Research Development Unit, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v9i1.20498

Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, Ozone therapy, Pain

Abstract

Background: Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disease that causes significant pain, disability, and impaired quality of life. Conventional therapies, including analgesics and physiotherapy, offer minimal alleviation. However, the emergence of ozone therapy, with its possible anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, provides a promising and hopeful alternative.

Methods: The present study was conducted on 30 patients with KOA. They received weekly intra-articular ozone injections for 8 sessions for ozone injections, and their pain and functional outcomes were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Pain Inventory. In this study, SPSS was used, with a significance of p< 0.05. Baseline and post-treatment scores after one month were compared.

Results: The study involved 30 participants aged 71.80±8.38 yrs, with a majority of females (93. 3%). The WOMAC pain subscale was used to measure pain severity before and after ozone therapy. Significant improvements post-treatment, decreasing pain scores from 63.77±9.84 to 37.81±14.57 were observed.

Conclusion: Physical function and stiffness components also improved. The WOMAC Pain Questionnaire showed a significant reduction in pain intensity, indicating a substantial and reassuring improvement in pain management after ozone therapy. These results provide confidence and assurance regarding the possibility of ozone therapy. According to the existing results, the effectiveness of intra-articular ozone injection was significant. Therefore, ozone can be recommended as an efficient, durable treatment for mild or moderate KOA.