Dr. Nitish Mandal
Ozone for sciatica
The pain runs from the back into the leg. You have been told it is a disc. Ozone disc therapy is a clinic procedure aimed at that disc, without an operation that day.
What is ozone disc therapy?
Ozone injection, also called ozone disc therapy or ozone nucleolysis, places medical-grade ozone in the intervertebral disc. It is used for disc-related sciatica and related disc problems.
It is positioned as relief of nerve pressure without surgery. Transforaminal epidural injections are used alongside it when sciatica is severe.
Who is ozone for sciatica for?
- Shooting pain from the back into the leg that has not settled with tablets and rest.
- A disc bulge or herniation on MRI, with a matching pain pattern on examination.
- You want a non-surgical option explained before you agree to an operation.
How long until ozone helps, and when is surgery still needed?
What you still do
- Back-strengthening exercises once the disc has begun to settle.
- Avoid the sitting and bending that sharply increase the leg pain.
When ozone is not the only tool
- Transforaminal epidural injections for sciatic pain.
- Surgery remains the honest answer for some discs. That is decided after examination, not from a scan caption.
Is ozone done awake, and how soon can I go home?
- You lie face down. The site is cleaned, local anaesthetic is given, and the disc is located with X-ray guidance.
- A thin needle is placed in the disc. Medical-grade ozone, made from pure oxygen just before injection, is placed. The needle is withdrawn and a bandage applied.
- You remain awake. If a shock-like feeling is reported, the needle can be withdrawn. If blood appears in the needle, another route is taken.
The procedure takes around 15 to 20 minutes, with going home in about 30 minutes. Ozone takes about 3 to 4 weeks to shrink the disc. For very severe sciatica, a minimal dose of steroid with local anaesthetic may be given as the needle comes out, with pain relief within 1 to 2 days.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does ozone take to help?
- Ozone takes about 3 to 4 weeks to shrink the disc. A small steroid dose as the needle comes out may ease very severe sciatica within 1 to 2 days.
- Is it done awake?
- Yes. Remaining awake means a shock-like feeling can be reported at once and the needle withdrawn.
- Can I go home the same day?
- Yes. Going home is about 30 minutes after a 15 to 20 minute procedure.
- Is ozone the same as an epidural steroid injection?
- No. Ozone is placed in the disc. A transforaminal epidural is used alongside it when sciatica is very severe. Some visits use both.
Ozone is for selected disc-related sciatica. Some people still need a surgeon. The sciatica guide explains the pain pattern. This page explains the procedure.
Reviewed by Dr. Nitish Mandal, MBBS, MD, FIPM, TIPM (Nashville). Clinics: Koramangala and J.P. Nagar.
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Is ozone done awake?
Yes. Remaining awake means a shock-like feeling can be reported at once. Going home is described as about 30 minutes after a 15 to 20 minute procedure.