TITLE:
Ozone Injections in Orthopaedics: An Effective Substitute for Cortisone Injections in Total Joint Replacement Patients and Other Arthritic Conditions
AUTHORS:
Frederick F. Buechel
KEYWORDS:
Ozone Gas, Prolozone Injections, Total Joint Infections, Cortisone Associated Infections
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.14 No.12,
December
17,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Total joint replacement (TJR) patients can suffer from tendinitis, bursitis or other inflammatory conditions that are generally treated by cortisone (corticosteroid) injections. Such injections rarely cause complications in the general public, but have resulted in severe implant infections in some patients with joint replacements. The purpose of this study is to review the literature involving joint replacement infections after cortisone injections and present ozone as an alternative to cortisone in a series of joint replacement patients with periarticular inflammatory conditions. Methods: There were 26 combined patients with either total hip replacement (THR), total knee replacement (TKR), total ankle replacement (TAR), or resurfacing shoulder replacement (SR) that developed tendonitis, bursitis or inflammatory problems related to their respective joint arthroplasties. Rather than use cortisone, they were given prolozone injections into the inflammatory regions to relieve them of their pain and dysfunction. This injection was followed by an ice pack for one hour and a return to normal function thereafter. Results: All THR, TKR, SR and TAR pathologies were improved or asymptomatic after one or a series of prolozone injections into the area of inflammation. No cortisone injections were used and no infections were encountered. Conclusions: Prolozone injection therapy is an effective treatment for post-operative inflammatory conditions following total joint replacement. Patients find relief of inflammation symptoms, similar to steroid injections, without the risk of infection or tissue breakdown. Prolozone injection therapy can be useful when conventional injection treatment fails, or is contraindicated.