Here’s a focused list of published articles on the use of ozone injections for lumbar disc pathology, especially herniated lumbar discs and discogenic low back pain.
Key Studies and Clinical Trials
- Andreula et al. evaluated 600 patients with intradiscal (4 mL) and periganglionic (8 mL) ozone at 27 µg/mL, with one group also receiving steroids.
- At 6 months, 70% success with ozone alone, 78% with combination therapy; minor transient sensory deficits in 2 people
- Five- and Ten-Year Follow-Up on Intradiscal Ozone Injection
Long-term study showing ~75% sustained effectiveness at 5 and 10 years in lumbar disc herniation pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2ijssurgery.com+2verywellhealth.com+2.
- Meta-Analysis & Systematic Review (Pain Physician, 2012)
Magalhaes et al. analyzed 4 RCTs and 8 observational studies; found intraperitonal and paravertebral ozone had recommendation grades of II-3 and II-1 respectively, indicating moderate-quality evidence clinicaltrials.gov+5pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+5frontiersin.org+5.
- Double-Blind RCT: Ozone With/Without Periforaminal Steroid (Pain Physician, 2020)
In 65 patients, ozone alone and ozone + steroid both significantly reduced pain and disability; no added benefit of steroids en.wikipedia.org+5painphysicianjournal.com+5frontiersin.org+5.
- Ozone vs Microdiscectomy (2021)
Intradiscal ozone was found non-inferior to microdiscectomy in improving leg pain after 6 months en.wikipedia.org+15thespinejournalonline.com+15sciencedirect.com+15.
- Percutaneous Ozone Treatment for Herniated Discs (1-Year Study)
Demonstrated that oxygen‑ozone therapy is safe and effective for contained lumbar herniations en.wikipedia.org+10sciencedirect.com+10en.wikipedia.org+10.
- Combined Ozone–Steroid Paravertebral Injection (Frontiers in Neurology, 2023)
Xiao‑hui Yang et al. conducted a double-blind RCT of ozone (30 µg/mL) + steroid vs oxygen + steroid. The ozone group showed significantly lower VAS scores at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05), with 85% excellent/good outcomes frontiersin.org.
Minimally invasive oxygen-ozone therapy for lumbar disk herniation
Ozone therapy versus surgery for lumbar disc herniation: A randomized double-blind controlled trial
Oxygen-Ozone Therapy for Herniated Lumbar Disc in Patients with Subacute Partial Motor Weakness Due to Nerve Root Compression
Summary
Efficacy: Intradiscal ozone (typically 20–30 µg/mL) provides significant pain and functional relief in ~70–85% of patients, with multiple RCTs and long-term data backing sustained benefits.
Combination therapy: Adding steroids may offer extra benefit in some protocols but isn’t always necessary—ozone alone often suffices.
Comparison to surgery: Non-inferior pain outcomes compared to microdiscectomy at 6 months suggest ozone as a viable minimally invasive option.
Safety: Generally well-tolerated; rare mild side effects. However, proper technique and dosage are critical.
Evidence gaps: Need for larger, placebo-controlled trials with standardized protocols and long-term safety data.
For a concise overview of ozone therapy in lumbar disc herniation, here’s a helpful YouTube summary:
https://youtu.be/gvd9GbyTobY
Here’s a focused list of published articles on the use of ozone injections for lumbar disc pathology, especially herniated lumbar discs and discogenic low back pain.
Key Studies and Clinical Trials
1. Oxygen–Ozone Therapy for Lumbar Disk Herniation (2002)
- Andreula et al. evaluated 600 patients with intradiscal (4 mL) and periganglionic (8 mL) ozone at 27 µg/mL, with one group also receiving steroids.
- At 6 months, 70% success with ozone alone, 78% with combination therapy; minor transient sensory deficits in 2 people thespinejournalonline.com+15pm
c.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15sciencedi rect.com+15.
2. Five- and Ten-Year Follow-Up on Intradiscal Ozone Injection
- Long-term study showing ~75% sustained effectiveness at 5 and 10 years in lumbar disc herniation pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2ijssurge
ry.com+2verywellhealth.com+2.
3. Meta-Analysis & Systematic Review (Pain Physician, 2012)
- Magalhaes et al. analyzed 4 RCTs and 8 observational studies; found intraperitonal and paravertebral ozone had recommendation grades of II-3 and II-1 respectively, indicating moderate-quality evidence clinicaltrials.gov+5pubmed.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+5frontiersin. org+5.
4. Double-Blind RCT: Ozone With/Without Periforaminal Steroid (Pain Physician, 2020)
- In 65 patients, ozone alone and ozone + steroid both significantly reduced pain and disability; no added benefit of steroids en.wikipedia.org+5painphysicia
njournal.com+5frontiersin.org+ 5.
5. Ozone vs Microdiscectomy (2021)
- Intradiscal ozone was found non-inferior to microdiscectomy in improving leg pain after 6 months en.wikipedia.org+15thespinejou
rnalonline.com+15sciencedirect .com+15.
6. Percutaneous Ozone Treatment for Herniated Discs (1-Year Study)
- Demonstrated that oxygen‑ozone therapy is safe and effective for contained lumbar herniations en.wikipedia.org+10sciencedire
ct.com+10en.wikipedia.org+10.
7. Combined Ozone–Steroid Paravertebral Injection (Frontiers in Neurology, 2023)
- Xiao‑hui Yang et al. conducted a double-blind RCT of ozone (30 µg/mL) + steroid vs oxygen + steroid. The ozone group showed significantly lower VAS scores at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05), with 85% excellent/good outcomes frontiersin.org.
Minimally invasive oxygen-ozone therapy for lumbar disk herniation
Ozone therapy versus surgery for lumbar disc herniation: A randomized double-blind controlled trial
- Efficacy: Intradiscal ozone (typically 20–30 µg/mL) provides significant pain and functional relief in ~70–85% of patients, with multiple RCTs and long-term data backing sustained benefits.
- Combination therapy: Adding steroids may offer extra benefit in some protocols but isn’t always necessary—ozone alone often suffices.
- Comparison to surgery: Non-inferior pain outcomes compared to microdiscectomy at 6 months suggest ozone as a viable minimally invasive option.
- Safety: Generally well-tolerated; rare mild side effects. However, proper technique and dosage are critical.
- Evidence gaps: Need for larger, placebo-controlled trials with standardized protocols and long-term safety data.
For a concise overview of ozone therapy in lumbar disc herniation, here’s a helpful YouTube summary:
