Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 6, 2025
Full-Endoscopic Isolation Zone Technique for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation
Published on: April 7, 2023
Ozone therapy versus surgery for lumbar disc herniation: A randomized double-blind controlled trial
Bernardino Clavo1, Francisco Robaina2, Gerard Urrutia3
1Research Unit, Dr. Negrín University Hospital, Las Palmas, Spain; Chronic Pain Unit, Dr. Negrín University Hospital, Las Palmas, Spain; Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), BioPharm Group, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Intradiscal ozone infiltration for herniated discs reduced the need for repeat surgery compared to oxygen infiltration and offered significant savings in hospital stays and costs. This minimally invasive treatment shows promise for patients and healthcare systems.
Area of Science:
- Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures
- Regenerative Medicine
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Symptomatic disc herniation often necessitates surgery after failed conservative treatments.
- Intradiscal ozone infiltration is being explored as a less invasive alternative.
- Comparing ozone, oxygen, and traditional surgery is crucial for treatment selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of intradiscal ozone infiltration versus oxygen infiltration versus conventional surgery for herniated discs.
- To evaluate the requirement for further surgical intervention across the three treatment groups.
- To assess differences in hospitalization duration and associated costs.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial was conducted on patients awaiting surgery for herniated discs.
- Three groups received: surgery; intradiscal ozone infiltration with foraminal infiltration; or intradiscal oxygen infiltration with foraminal infiltration.
- The primary outcome measure was the requirement for further surgery.
Main Results:
- After a median follow-up of 78 months, 20% of the ozone group required repeat surgery versus 60% in the oxygen group and 11% in the surgery group.
- The ozone group had significantly fewer inpatient days (median 3) compared to the surgery group (median 0).
- Intradiscal ozone infiltration resulted in significantly lower costs (median EUR 364) compared to surgery (median EUR 3702).
Conclusions:
- Intradiscal ozone infiltrations significantly reduced the need for conventional surgery for herniated discs.
- This approach led to decreased hospitalization durations and healthcare costs.
- Findings suggest ozone infiltration is a valuable option for patients and healthcare providers, with further validation underway.
