2024, Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) represents a common degenerative disorder, characterized by a functional limitations due to chemical as well as mechanical stress on joint, leading to discomfort along with reduced range of motion (ROM). This work was aimed at comparing the ozone intra-articular injections’ effectiveness with corticosteroids versus PRGF as regards pain improvement in knee OA patients.

Methods: Our prospective randomized double-blind study involved 90 cases aged from 21 to 65 years old, both sexes, diagnosed with stage 2-3 knee OA and having symptoms of Knee OA at least 3 months after getting usual conservative treatment. Cases underwent a random and equal categorization into two groups. Group O: were administered ozone with corticosteroids IA injections while Group P: were administered PRGF IA injections.

Results: In first month after intra articular injection, both visual analogue scale (VAS) as well as Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA score (WOMACs) showed significantly decrease within group O as opposed to group P (p<0.001). Also, patients required for oral analgesics within group O exhibited less values as opposed to group P (p<0.001) with improvement of both flexion and extension within group O as opposed to group P. Six months after intra articular injection, both VAS and WOMACs showed significantly decrease within group P as opposed to group O (p<0.001). Also, cases required for oral analgesics within group P was less as opposed to group O (p<0.001) with improvement as regards both flexion and extension within group P as opposed to group O (p<0.001) and improvement of KL classification within group P as opposed to group O (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Both intra articular injection of ozone with corticosteroids and PRGF were safe and effective in limiting pain in knee OA. Ozone plus corticosteroids could result in favorable short-term outcomes as opposed to PRGF.