ABSTRACT
To analyze the painkilling effect of ozone-oxygen injection on joint and spine osteoarthritis. This prospective study was completed at the Ozone Clinic, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 220 mainly local patients [122 women, mean age 47.05 years; 98 men, mean age 52.8 years] with radiographic documented spine or extremities osteoarthritis. The patients were treated over 3 years [September 2002 to August 2005] by ozone-oxygen injection twice a week for at least 12 sessions. Using the 6 faces pain scale; the patients' pain was recorded at the beginning and at the 4th, 8th, and 12th sessions. They were followed for a mean of 8.48 months and their pain scale was recorded at that time too. Comparison of the patients' 1st day pains with their 4th, 8th, and 12th sessions' pains showed a significant decrease [1st day to 4th session p=0.005, 1st day to 8th week p=0.005, 1st day to 12th session p=0.0043]. Comparison of the 1st day pain with the final follow-up pain, which was around 10 months from the first treatment, showed a meaningful decrease of pain [p=0.0048]. This study validates the painkilling effect of ozone-oxygen injection on osteoarthritis of the joints and spine. Its long term effect on pain advocates the likelihood of some histological changes as mechanism of its action