Ultrasound guided paravertebral ozone-oxygen injection versus pure oxygen for chronic discogenic low back pain: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

Chronic discogenic low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders. Despite numerous studies, the effectiveness of paraspinal ozone therapy continues to be uncertain, partly because of the methodological shortcomings. This study evaluates the effectiveness of para-spinal ozone-oxygen mixture injection compared to pure oxygen in chronic discogenic low back pain.

Design

In this double-blind RCT, 30 patients with MRI-confirmed chronic discogenic LBP were randomized into intervention (20 μg/mL ozone-oxygen mixture) or control (pure oxygen) groups. Every patient underwent a series of three ultrasound-guided para-spinal injections administered weekly in combination with exercise. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) and functional status (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI) were assessed at baseline, one month, and three months post-intervention.

Results

Both groups exhibited notable enhancements in VAS and ODI scores; however, the ozone group revealed more favorable results (P < 0.001). The ozone group exhibited significantly higher mean reductions in VAS (5.6 compared to 2.4) and ODI (19.07 compared to 7.8). (P < 0.001)

Conclusion

Para-spinal ozone-oxygen injection was significantly superior to pure oxygen in alleviating pain and enhancing functional scores. Despite limitations such as a small sample size, this research offers insights into ozone therapy as a promising minimally invasive alternative for chronic discogenic low back pain.

Keywords

back pain < B interventional pain medicine < I low back pain < L musculoskeletal < M physical medicine and rehabilitation < P spine < S ultrasonography

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