For many people, the word “ozone” is associated with the ozone layer, a layer of the earth’s stratosphere that absorbs a large proportion of the sun’s UV rays heading to earth. But ozone now has an entirely new purpose, and it has nothing to do with sun protection.

Ozone injections are slowly but surely demonstrating their ability to soothe knee pain and dramatically improve the quality of life for those with knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Also known as degenerative joint disease, this slowly progressive disease breaks down joint cartilage until it is thin and irregular. Since normal cartilage ensures smooth and painless joint movements, those suffering from osteoarthritis experience painful and stiff joints.

Without joints that function properly, those with OA suffer through extreme pain, cope with disability, and often must accept a lesser quality of life riddled with financial and social challenges.

What Are Ozone Injections?

Ozone is a natural gas that is made of three oxygen atoms. Ozone injections have been used in Europe for years to treat cancer, AIDS, arthritis, and other conditions since it is believed to reduce inflammation and balance the number of free radicals inside the body.

Despite its success internationally, America opted not to approve ozone for medical use since it lacked clinical trials and studies proving its effectiveness and exploring its side effects.

The Discoveries of Recent Studies

The American College of Rheumatology completed a study in late 2015 that demonstrated ozone’s ability to ease joint pain and improve quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis.

The study followed 98 people, 63 of whom received 10 mL of ozone injections throughout the study and 35 of whom received a placebo injection. Evaluations occurred when the study commenced, after the 4^th and 8^th injections, and eight weeks after the participants’ final injection. Evaluations focused on changes in pain as demonstrated by the ability to sit, stand, and walk.

All of the results clearly indicated that the participants who received ozone injections experienced improvement in every area pertaining to quality of life after only the 4^th injection!

More studies are bound to follow, but this medical proof is a breakthrough for those suffering from OA and seeking an effective and reliable solution.