The World Health Organization has defined it as a “chronic, degenerative, idiopathic disorder characterized by the progressive loss of joint cartilage”. Arthrosis is one of the main causes of disability and one of the major problems for public health in Western countries. This disease is mainly due to wear and aging of the joints. One of the new frontiers for the treatment of osteoarthritis is oxygen-ozone therapy (OOT). We talked about its possible application with Dr. Lorenzo Virelli, physiatrist of the orthopedic rehabilitation unit of Humanitas, who takes care of this method in collaboration with dr. Cristiano Sconza, also a physiatrist of the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit, under the direction of dr. Stefano Respizzi.
Symptoms of knee arthrosis
People with osteoarthritis of the knee usually experience a progressive discomfort exacerbated by movement. This symptom can occur for a few days but also for several weeks and it is often associated with joint stiffness, especially in the morning. In some cases, episodes of ‘failure’ and instability of the knee may also occur.
What does oxygen-ozone therapy consist of?
“Oxygen-ozone therapy (OOT) is one of the new frontiers in the treatment of arthrosis and in general in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, chronic skin lesions and in many pathological conditions in which chronic systemic oxidative stress is involved,” said Dr. Vigorelli, also explaining that age is the risk factor most related to the development of arthrosis. Being a wear and tear disorder, the disease has a higher incidence in older people, especially after the age of 50.
“Obesity,” explained Dr. Virelli, “also increases ‘mechanical’ stress and the load on the joint, representing a very important risk factor. Finally, genetics and family history are certainly to be kept in mind. It has been shown that those who have first-degree relatives suffering from arthrosis are more likely to develop the same disease”. Finally, ‘external’ factors such as work and sport play a role, especially if carried out at a high intensity level.
“For a successful outcome of the therapy and to avoid pain, first of all it is good to reduce the risk factors mentioned above as much as possible – continued the specialist – and it is therefore recommended to lose weight, if necessary, to perform physical activity on a regular basis provided that low ‘load’ and ‘impact’ on the knee to improve flexibility and maintain muscle tone and, in general, to suspend smoking and alcohol”.
The treatment consists of the injection of medical ozone, a mixture of oxygen and ozone prepared and dosed with special equipment. Intrarticular infiltrations, generally administered once a week, may vary in frequency and duration of treatment. It all depends on the patient’s state of health and response to therapy.
“There are several customizable protocols” – explained Virelli. It is a treatment that allows to reduce inflammation and pain and with very few contraindications, unlike other pharmacological therapies that may be discouraged or completely contraindicated in some patients (such as anti-inflammatories or cortisone). As with all infiltration procedures, a rest period of 12 to 24 hours is recommended immediately after administration, but it is not necessary to remain at rest for prolonged periods.
What is the risk of recurrence of osteoarthritis at the knee?
Although this therapy is excellent for calming symptoms and soothing pain, studies in the literature state that it is not sufficient to stop the progression of the disease. Symptoms will therefore tend to reappear but the application of treatment will be an effective method in delaying the use of other therapies that may have side effects or surgery, in patients who do not want or cannot undergo surgery.
