For patients with lumbar and cervical disc herniations, ozone disc nucleolysis offers a targeted, image-guided solution to reduce disc pressure and inflammatory radiculopathy without surgery.
Study:
A retrospective analysis from a multi-center team in India (Ghatge et al., 2023) followed 2,089 patients (3,762 treated discs) with lumbar disc herniation and radicular pain who had not improved with conservative care. Patients received a single-session intradiscal ozone–oxygen injection, then were followed clinically for up to 12 months. Outcomes were measured via VAS pain scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and modified MacNab criteria; a subset had MRI follow-up.
Results:
- Mean pain scores improved from 7.7/10 at baseline to 3.1 at 1 month, 1.4 at 3 months, and 1.36 at 1 year.
- ODI improved from 35.9 at baseline (moderate disability) to approximately 6 by 3–12 months, indicating minimal residual disability.
- 85.6% of patients met “successful” outcome criteria (excellent, good, or fair) on MacNab; only 14.4% reported limited or no benefit.
- In patients with 6-month MRI follow-up, about 75% showed reduction in disc herniation size; clinical improvement often preceded visible imaging changes
- No serious complications were reported over the 15-year treatment period; no patients worsened following the procedure.
Key Takeaway:
For appropriately selected patients with disc herniation and persistent radicular pain but no major motor deficit, ozone disc nucleolysis represents an evidence-supported, low-complication, minimally invasive option that can:
Decompress the disc, Modulate inflammatory radiculopathy, and Create a more stable, pain-reduced platform for progressive rehabilitation instead of early surgery.
At Integrative Rehab Medicine, ozone disc nucleolysis is performed under precise image guidance and integrated with individualized post-procedure rehabilitation, in close collaboration with local physical therapy practices to restore strength, mobility, and durable function.
Reference:
Ghatge SB et al. Ozone disc nucleolysis in the management of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc: A retrospective analysis. J Craniovertebral Junction Spine. 2023.
https://journals.lww.com/jcjs/fulltext/2023/14010/Ozone_disc_nucleolysis_in_the_management_of.4.aspx