Ozone Joint Therapy

Chronic knee pain can keep you from the physically active lifestyle important to your overall health and happiness. If you’re not ready for knee replacement surgery and want to reduce your reliance on pain medications, the team at Reflex Knee Specialists may recommend ozone joint therapy. The team uses advanced ultrasound technology to identify the cause of your knee pain and determine if ozone injections are right for you. To schedule an ozone joint therapy consultation, call the office in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; or Tempe, Arizona, or book an appointment online today.

What is ozone joint therapy?

Ozone joint therapy is a non-surgical treatment option for chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that results from chronic inflammation that damages the protective cartilage that covers the end of your bones. After being exposed to chronic inflammation for several years, the cartilage begins to break down, causing the underlying bone to experience increased contact forces. 

Over time, the bone reacts by forming bone spurs and bone bruises (called bone marrow lesions). This results in the loss of the lubrication and cushioning of the cartilage which leads to compensation and dysfunctional biomechanics. Injections of ozone into your damaged knee joint can reduce inflammation and deactivate proteins that break down cartilage tissue. It also relieves pain and can improve your quality of life. 

Am I a candidate for ozone joint therapy?

You might be a candidate for ozone joint therapy if you’re limited by persistent knee pain but aren’t ready for surgery, or if your symptoms are minimal but you want to prevent further damage.

Reflex Knee Specialists offer comprehensive knee evaluations to identify the cause of your pain. Your provider performs a physical exam and may use advanced diagnostic ultrasound technology to confirm your diagnosis.

Based on the results, your provider may recommend ozone joint therapy for long-lasting pain relief. Ozone has been demonstrated to augment the clinical benefit when combined with other nonsurgical options, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments and viscosupplementation.  It has been demonstrated that the level of growth factors released with PRP treatment is increased by 30% when combined with ozone.  

What can I expect during ozone joint therapy?

During your ozone joint therapy appointment, you first get comfortable on the exam chair. To ensure the injection of ozone gas goes into the right location within your knee joint, the team uses ultrasound technology to guide the needle.

The injections don’t take long and are usually well-tolerated. You might have some mild discomfort at the injection site in the days after your treatment but can use an ice pack to prevent pain and swelling.

To maximize the results of your treatment, your provider may suggest a series of treatments. They can determine how many ozone injections you need based on the cause of your knee pain, age, and medical history.

You can resume your usual routine soon after your injections, with possible limitations on strenuous exercise and other activities that put pressure on your knee joints.

To learn more about the benefits of ozone joint therapy, call the Reflex Knee specialist office near you or book an appointment online today.