Ozone Nucleolysis for Management of Pain and Disability in Prolapsed Lumber Intervertebral Disc

Abstract

<jats:p> The prevalence rate of low back pain in a number of studies ranged from 22% to 65% in one year, and lifetime prevalence ranged from 11% to 84%. Over the years many percutaneous minimally invasive therapeutic modalities have evolved. Intradiscal oxygen-ozone therapy has also showed promising results. We undertook a prospective cohort study to evaluate the therapeutic outcome of oxygen-ozone therapy on patients with lumber disc herniation in the Indian population. </jats:p><jats:p> After obtaining ethical committee and investigational review board permission, 53 consecutive patients complying with selection criteria were treated with a single session of oxygen-ozone therapy. All presented with clinical signs of lumber nerve root compression supported by CT and MRI findings. All patients received 3–7 ml of ozone-oxygen mixture at an ozone concentration of 29–32 mc/ml of oxygen. Therapeutic outcome was assessed after three weeks, three months, six months, one year and two years on a visual analog scale and Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. </jats:p><jats:p> Pain intensity was significantly reduced following treatment (VAS baseline 7.58 ± 0.86, after three weeks 2.75 ± 1.42 and after two years 2.64 ± 2.14). Similarly the Oswestry disability index showed a remarkable improvement in the functional status of the patients (p&lt;0.05). No major complication was observed in this case series. Oxygen-ozone treatment is highly effective in relieving low back pain due to lumber disc herniation. </jats:p>

Efficacy of intradiscal ozone gas therapy combined with physical therapy in contained lumber disc prolapse

“…e reduction of VAS score from baseline with in four weeks following treatment was 8.0±1.63 to 0.30±0.95. G das et Al 12 found that the reduction of VAS score from baseline to three weeks following treatment was 7.58 ±86 to 2.75 ±1.42 which was similar to present study.…”

“…40% was male, 60% was female and male: female ratio was 2:3. G das et Al 12 found that Patients range of age was 21-65 (average 46.04) years which was closely resembles the present study. 50% were housewife, 20% was businessmen, 10% was student, 10% was labour and 10% was sedentary worker in private job.…”

“…Reduction of ODI from baseline with in four weeks following treatment was 37.7±6.5 to 15.8±1.0. G das et Al 12 found that reduction of oswestry disability index from baseline to Discussion e present study observed the mean age was 42.00±14.01 years ranging from 22 years to 68 years. 40% was male, 60% was female and male: female ratio was 2:3.…”

Efficacy of Ozone Neucleoplasty against Physiotherapy in Cases of Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain

“…Pain perception was reduced after the subsequent treatments were delivered. Several past investigators (10)(11)(12)(13)(14) had also noted the same thing. On the other hand, it is observed that under both the treatments, the average VAS scores reduce substantially after 3 rd week, which are in agreement with the findings of Muto and Avella (10) and Das et al (11) .…”

“…A few recent papers (7)(8)(9) reveals role of ozone in inflamatory, vascular as well as compressive factors which are responsible for pain. Although studies of effect of ozone Neucleoplasty and physiotherapy separately on low back pain has proven to be effective in chronic low back pain (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) , we did not come across any data evaluating both the approaches in a single study. …”