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A Comparison Between Low-Level Laser Therapy and Intra-articular Ozone Injection in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment: A
Solmaz Fakhari1, Alireza Pishghahi2, Hojjat Pourfathi1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Anesthesiology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences
|November 4, 2021
Summary
Ozone therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness than low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in reducing pain and improving physical function for knee osteoarthritis patients. Both therapies offer non-surgical treatment options.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by pain and limited mobility.
- Lifestyle modifications and exercise are primary treatments, but alternative therapies are increasingly explored.
- No prior studies have directly compared low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with ozone therapy for KOA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of LLLT versus ozone therapy in managing knee osteoarthritis.
- To evaluate the impact of these non-surgical interventions on pain severity and physical function.
Main Methods:
- A single-blinded randomized clinical trial involving 60 KOA patients.
- Participants were divided into two groups: LLLT (12 sessions) and ozone therapy (6 intra-articular injections).
- Pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, and physical function were assessed before, during, and after treatment.
Main Results:
- Both LLLT and ozone therapy significantly reduced joint pain and improved WOMAC scores and range of motion in KOA patients.
- The ozone therapy group exhibited more substantial improvements across all measured variables compared to the LLLT group.
- Both interventions were found to be safe for non-surgical KOA management.
Conclusions:
- LLLT and ozone therapy are viable non-surgical treatment options for knee osteoarthritis.
- Ozone therapy appears to be more effective than LLLT for improving pain and physical function in KOA patients.
- These therapies should be considered for patients unsuitable for surgery or those with insufficient improvement from conventional exercise programs.
