A Comparison between Low-Level Laser Therapy and Intra-articular Ozone Injectionin Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disease, causing deformity, pain and alimited joint range of motion. Modification of the lifestyle and an exercise training program are the cornerstoneof treatment. Alternative therapies such as laser or ozone are commonly used, but there is not anycomparative study of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) versus ozone therapy. The aim of the study was tocompare the efficacy and safety of the LLLT versus ozone in patients with KOA.Methods: In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, ۶۰ patients with KOA were assigned to LLLT or ozonegroups (n = ۳۰). Basic pain severity, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC)score and physical function were determined. In the LLLT group, the patients were underwent on ۱۲ sessionsof LLLT and in the ozone group, ۶ sessions of intra-articular injection of ozone were done (in each session amixture of ۱۰ mL of bupivacaine ۰.۲۵% with ۱۵ mL of ozone ۳۰ μg/mL). In the middle and end of theintervention periods, we reassessed the joint pain and physical function and the degree of improvementcompared between the two groups.Results: In both groups, at both periods, the joint pain severity decreased significantly. As same as pain, theself-administrated WOMAC score and the range of joint motion improved significantly in both groups, at bothperiods. Comparing to LLLT group, all of these variables had more improvement in the ozone group.Conclusion: The study showed that both LLLT and ozone therapy, are acceptable non-invasive methods ofKOA therapy. Comparing to LLLT, the ozone therapy was more effective. These methods must be consideredin any patient who is not suitable for surgical interventions or does not have enough response to the longperiods of common exercise training programs.

کلیدواژه ها:

Knee osteoarthritis ،