Is Intradiscal Ozone Injection Effective in Ameliorating Symptoms of Lumbosacral Discopathy?

Abstract

Background: Oxygen-ozone (O2-O3) gas mixture as a newly prescribed substance became popular among clinicians to relieve low back pain (LBP) in discogenic patients as an alternative method rather than surgery. We developed this study to uncover whether this combination could be helpful in the Middle Eastern population or not. Methods: In the present randomized clinical trial, we included 40 patients with L1 to S1 disc herniation assigned to schedule for intervention [a single course of ozone (O3) therapy without corticosteroids] or to consider as the control (physiotherapy including exercises based on extension). All patients were followed with a mean time of 12 weeks after injection, and pain severity and level of quality of life (QOL) were assessed. The severity of disc herniations was evaluated by a spine surgeon within the Michigan State University (MSU) classification frame. Results: The current study represented two identical groups regarding lumbosacral segment involvement during 12 weeks of our survey (P > 0.05). The QOL level was equivalent in two groups. The mean pain score was decreased in the intervention group against the control group after two weeks, but it failed to thrive in the further weeks and was raised afterward. On the other hand, the mean pain score for the control group [6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.4-6.8] proceeded with a steady slope notably lower than the intervention group (7.5; 95% CI: 6.9-8.2) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with LBP do not get more benefit from O2-O3 mixture injection.