Ozone Injection to disc

Intradiscal oxygen-ozone (O2-O3) is a well-known effective treatment for pain caused by protruding disc disease and nerve root compression due to bulging or herniated discs.

 

What is Ozone?

Ozone (O3) is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, as opposed to the more common oxygen molecule (O2), which consists of two oxygen atoms. Ozone is a highly reactive and unstable gas due to its extra oxygen atom, and it can be used in medical applications in various forms.

 

In which conditions is Intradiscal oxygen-ozone a good treatment?

Intradiscal oxygen-ozone is a well-known effective treatment for pain caused by low back pain with sciatica due to nerve root compression with bulging or herniated discs.

 

Is Intradiscal oxygen-ozone used alone or in combination with other modalities?

The most widely used therapeutic combination is intradiscal injection of an O2-O3 mixture (chemonucleolysis), followed by periradicular (near the nerve root) injection of O2-O3, steroid and local anaesthetic to enhance the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

 

What is its Mechanism of Action?

Ozone is believed to work in several ways:

• Dehydration of the bulging or herniated disc tissue with an attenuation or disappearance of nerve root compression

• Disintegration of Herniated Material: Ozone has a strong oxidative effect, which can lead to the breakdown of the herniated disc material, such as the gel-like nucleus pulposus.

• Reduction of Inflammation: Ozone may reduce inflammation in the disc and surrounding tissues, which can help alleviate pain.

• Analgesic Effect: Ozone can have a direct analgesic (pain-relieving) effect by influencing nerve endings and reducing pain signals.

• Promotion of Healing: Some proponents of ozone therapy claim that it can promote tissue healing and regeneration.

 

Why is this procedure becoming so popular?

The treatment offers numerous advantages in being low cost and less invasive than surgery. And effective in 70-90% of cases. Adverse effects or complications have been estimated at < 0.1%

 

What will be my experience during this procedure?

1. Patient Preparation: You will be positioned in a way that allows the doctor to access the targeted disc, generally lying face down. Local anesthesia is often administered to numb the area and reduce discomfort during the procedure.

2. Disc Localization: Using fluoroscopy or other imaging techniques, the doctor precisely locates the herniated disc that is causing your pain. Fluoroscopy is a real-time X-ray imaging method that helps guide the placement of the needle.

3. Ozone Injection: A thin, hollow needle is inserted into the centre of the affected disc. Through this needle, a mixture of oxygen and ozone gas is slowly injected into the disc.

The whole procedure takes 20-30 minutes, and observation for another 15 minutes after which you can leave for home. We advice you not to exercise or do any hard work on that day but daily activities can be done.​

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Scientific paper on ozone injection and its efficacy

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