Comparison Of Ozone Therapy Cortisone Hyaluronic Acid Injections And Dextrose Prolotherapy Injections
There is a significant amount of research surrounding the use of ozone in treating various diseases. In this section, we will limit this research to comparative research.
An October 2018 study in the;Journal of Pain Research compared ozone treatments with Hyaluronic Acid Injections or Dextrose Prolotherapy injection as the control group.
Please note that this is not a comparison of Prolozone® to the other treatments, this is a comparison of ozone alone.
The researchers wrote that the existing body of evidence had well demonstrated that ozone injection was evidently effective for short-term management of mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis patients . But the main challenge was on longer periods of time in which different studies had declared heterogeneous results.
The researchers gathered dates from a series of randomized control trials and made these observations:
- The short-term effectiveness of intra-articular ozone is better than placebo and corticosteroids
- The short-term effectiveness of intra-articular ozone is equal to that of dextrose Prolotherapy or hyaluronic acid injections.
- However, at 36 months after injections, the therapeutic efficacy of ozone decreased to a level, slightly lower than that of dextrose Prolotherapy or hyaluronic acid injections.
- After 6 months, ozone therapy was not associated with significant improvement of range of motion and functionality
A 2015 study in the journal Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine showed that:
What Are The Side Effects Of Hyaluronic Acid Shots
The shots are usually low risk, but some side effects may occur. Typical side effects include pain, swelling, heat, redness, and/or fluid build-up around the knee, Dr. Miller says. Rest and ice afterward can help prevent the typical side effects.
More rarely, infections of the joint are possible, as is damage to other parts of the knee, he says. However, properly trained physicians will deliver an injection with very little risk of complications, Dr. Miller says.
The Cortisone Debate Goes On
A December 2020 study published in the medical journal Rheumatology gives this overview assessment of the debate surrounding the use of cortisone for a bone on bone knee. Here are the summary learning points:
- Existing data indicate that intra-articular corticosteroids in knee osteoarthritis provide short-term pain relief and functional improvement which may last from one to several weeks.
- At present, synovitis is the most important predictor of treatment response, and also a target for anti-inflammatory treatment for intra-articular corticosteroids.
- Our explanatory note: If you have a lot of knee swelling cortisone maybe be of benefit. Please see our article treating chronic knee swelling.
Returning to the research study:
- subgroup of patients with the inflammatory phenotype with clinical features of pain, stiffness, joint swelling, and effusion are expected to be more responsive than other phenotypes who do not display clinical manifestations of inflammation.
- Our explanatory note: If you do not have chronic knee swelling, cortisone;may not be an answer for you.
Returning to the research study: In some people swelling comes and goes, it is hard to suggest who cortisone would be successful for among these people.
Returning to the research study: The more suitable cortisone patient is:
The evidence then was a summary of the effects of cortisone on articular cartilage which included:
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What Are The Differences Between Gel Shots And Corticosteroid Shots
Corticosteroid, or steroid injections, are another treatment option recommended by the American College of Rheumatology to improve joint function. ;These injections include corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic. They are most effective in treating inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout, plantar fasciitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis.
Corticosteroids sometimes also referred to as cortisone injections can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the body including ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, spine, and wrist. Like gel shots, steroids are injected directly into the joint space and can reduce pain more quickly.
Steroid injections will provide more immediate relief from pain with a faster recovery, but the relief will be more short term.
Steroid treatment is used with caution for diabetes because steroids can raise blood sugar levels. Additionally, there could be an adverse effect of this treatment for prolonged use and to those allergic to corticosteroids. In these instances, viscosupplementation may offer an alternative treatment for joint pain relief.
Amniotic Or Umbilical Cord Tissue
These therapies are all derived from birth tissues that are normally considered medical waste. The amniotic sac surrounds the baby and yields amniotic membrane/fluid and the umbilical cord connects the baby to the mother and yields umbilical cord blood and Whartons Jelly. These products are sold to doctors either dehydrated or frozen.
Many providers claim that these are stem cell therapies, but while fresh birth tissues can yield stem cells, once sourced, transported, processed, frozen, and shock thawed no MSCs survive . They do contain growth factors, but even these levels are oftentimes lower than those found in PRP. However, they may also contain unique growth factors that could help cartilage.
Right now, we have little research that these vastly different products help knee arthritis. However, some research does exist. For example, a high-level trial of ReNu showed good short term 6-month results in knee arthritis. These procedures are not covered by insurance and are expensive. However, there is basic science data that the base materials used in some of these products may help cartilage.
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What Happens During Viscosupplementation Treatment For Arthritis
Viscosupplementation is a relatively quick procedure that you probably can have done during a normal office visit. In general:
- Your healthcare provider will clean the area where youll have your injection.
- Usually, your healthcare provider will inject a local anesthetic into the area around your joint, so you wont feel any pain or discomfort in the area during the treatment. Your healthcare provider might use an anesthetic spray instead.
- In some cases, your healthcare provider might use imaging so that he or she can inject into exactly the right spot. Your healthcare provider might use ultrasound or another device that shows continuous X-rays.
- If you have excess fluid in your joint, your healthcare provider might remove a small amount of fluid before beginning.
- Your healthcare provider will inject the hyaluronic acid into the joint space using a needle attached to a syringe.
- A small bandage will be applied to your injection site.
Your healthcare provider can give you an even more specific idea of what to expect. Depending on the type of product you use, you may not need another shot, or you might need one to four more spread out over the next several weeks.
A New Look At Steroid Injections For Knee And Hip Osteoarthritis
- By Robert H. Shmerling, MD,
Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Osteoarthritis is a common and potentially debilitating condition. Its a degenerative joint disease in which the smooth lining of cartilage becomes thinned and uneven, exposing the bone beneath.
Although osteoarthritis is tightly linked with aging, we now know there is more to it than age alone: genetics, weight, physical activity, and a number of other factors can conspire to make it more likely that someone will develop osteoarthritis while someone else wont. Osteoarthritis is the primary reason that more than a million joints are replaced each year in the US.
Treatments short of surgery can help but they dont always work well, dont cure the condition, and may be accompanied by side effects. Surgery is usually the last resort, reserved for people who have declining function, unrelenting pain, or both despite trying other treatments such as pain relieving, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen , or injections of steroids or hyaluronic acid . Nonmedication approaches can also help, such as loss of excess weight, physical therapy, or use of a cane or brace.
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Medicare Approved New Technology For Knee Arthritis Treatment
Most seniors worked hard for most of their lives and paid their dues. Many even fought for their country. Now that they have reached retirement, it is time to focus on getting a little back and doing all the things they deserve in return for their service.
For many, the enjoyment of their “golden years” has been complicated by one big unanticipated problem: the debilitating pain of knee arthritis.
Luckily for seniors in Daytona Beach, Ethos Health Group can provide a solution. Thanks to advances in medical technology and treatments, seniors are now reducing pain, returning to the activities they love and getting to live the real retirement dream.
For many, knee arthritis pain has already become a thing of the past!
One such medical advancement for chronic knee pain is called viscosupplementation. This exciting new option has already helped thousands in Daytona Beach for three very important reasons:
Reason #1: It works
Viscosupplementation is an advanced medical treatment where a highly skilled doctor puts a special FDA-approved lubricating medicine directly into the knee joint. This is not an over the counter vitamin or supplement but an advanced medical procedure. The lubricating and cushioning substances are naturally occurring in the body but have been cleared by the FDA as an injectable to help patients get the best joint treatment possible.
Reason #2: Pinpoint accuracy of the injections
High Levels Of Exposure
Cortisoneespecially when used on a long-term basismay break down tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in the knee joint.Cartilage acts as a shock absorber, reducing the friction between bones as they move.
For this reason, it is not recommended to get repeated cortisone injections in the same joint over a short period of time, as it may cause more harm than good. If more than one injection is given in the same joint, the injections should be scheduled at appropriate intervals. Patients should not receive more than three to four cortisone injections per year.
Anytime a needle is injected into the skin, there is a chance of infection. An antiseptic will be applied to the skin prior to injection to reduce the risk of infection.
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Why Would An Arthritis Patient Get Hyaluronic Acid Injections Vs Other Treatments
Typically, you would try other conservative treatments first, like weight loss, exercise, NSAID medications, and;steroid injections. If those dont help, hyaluronic injections may be an option.
Some patients might have other conditions for which for first-line treatments would be contraindicated. Some doctors might use hyaluronic acid injections along with steroid injections as well. I had the injection every week for three weeks along with cortisone injections, Sharon Ruoto told us on Facebook. I did this every six months for years.
Although hyaluronic acid is also available as a pill, the shots are usually preferred. Advantages are targeted relief to the joint with no systemic side effects from pills, and the convenience of not taking pills by mouth, Dr. Miller says. Brand names of the hyaluronic acid shot include Euflexxa, Supartz, and Synvisc-One.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Knee Therapy
If youre tired of taking prescription medication or over-the-counter painkillers to treat your knee arthritis with limited effectiveness, gel injections could be right for you. Good candidates for knee therapy experience moderate to severe knee pain when walking, climbing flights of stairs, or playing sports. To be eligible, you should have no significant mechanical or alignment issues with your knees, which can only be corrected with surgery.
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What To Expect After A Hyaluronic Acid Injection
Everyone responds to hyaluronic acid injections a little differently. You might have almost immediate relief, or it could take a few weeks for the inflammation and pain in your knees to subside. Soon you find that you can move more easily and without pain.
Most patients have pain relief for 4-6 months. You can have hyaluronic acid injections every six months or so. Many patients find that the injections provide enough relief that they can delay or even avoid knee replacement surgery.;
This is especially important if you had a traumatic knee injury in the past, which can increase your risk of early-onset osteoarthritis. Joint replacements last for 10-15 years. With a current average life expectancy of over 72 years, if you can delay a knee replacement, you can avoid additional knee replacement surgeries later in life.;
If you have knee pain thats interfering with your life and want to find out if hyaluronic acid injections can help, .
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How Can I Naturally Lubricate My Knees
Foods high in healthy fats include salmon, trout, mackerel, avocados, olive oil, almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds. The omega-3 fatty acids in these foods will assist in joint lubrication. Water can assist in joint lubrication. Make sure you drink plenty of water each day to ensure that your joints are lubricated.
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Prp Is Not A Single Shot Miracle Cure Effectiveness Of Prp Is In How Many Times The Treatment Is Given
PRP is not a single shot miracle cure. While for the rare patient a single shot may work for them, we have seen in our clinical experience, PRP not to be as effective as a stand-alone, single-shot treatment. When someone contacts our center with a question about PRP, they understand the concept and that it should have helped them. But it did not. Why?
PRP does not work for every patient. The two main reasons are that some knees are indeed too far gone. What is typically too far gone? A knee that does not bend anymore or there is significant structural changes like bone spurs that have fused the knee.
The second reason is that they did not allow the treatment a chance to work. Many people think they are supposed to get immediate relief. That is not how PRP works.
The Efficacy Of Intra
An August 2021 paper from Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center published in; The American journal of sports medicine compared the effectiveness of PRP against other knee injections in younger patients and those without severe degenerative changes. The reason? the efficacy of intra-articular injections as a nonoperative modality for treating symptomatic knee osteoarthritis-related pain while maintaining function has become a subject of increasing interest.
In this study the following treatments were compared:
- Hyaluronic acid.
- and plasma rich in growth factors .
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Gel Injections For Knee Arthritis
Stiff and sore joints are a reality for most of us as we get older. Normally, our body secretes natural lubricants that reduce friction between the joint surfaces. Knee osteoarthritis increases friction in the joint causing the protective layers of cartilage on joint surfaces to slowly break down. Gel injections for knee osteoarthritis contain hyaluronic acid which can provide relief by improving joint lubrication. Treatments aimed at decreasing joint friction are also known as viscosupplementation. According to experts12, if youve tried exercising, dietary changes, and other painkilling drugs with no success, this treatment could be for you.;
Viscosupplementation: Injecting lubricating substances into a joint with the goal of increasing function and decreasing pain.;
What Are The Potential Risks For A Viscosupplementation Procedure
The most common side effect includes pain at the injection site, swelling, heat, redness, bruising. This can be treated with ice. Inflammation may occur after gel injection, though the symptoms are typically mild and temporary. For this reason, restricted activity is recommended for 48 hours after the treatment.
The most severe risks are infection and bleeding. The treatment is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to sodium hyaluronate preparations and patients with known infections or skin diseases in and around the injection site.
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Side Effects Of Injection Therapies
Side effects include a very low risk of infection and pain at the injection site. You also must stop taking oral anti-inflammatory medications for a short amount of time if you get a PRP injection, Dr. Genin says.
Often, many of these injections are effective in reducing or stopping your joint pain, but its important to remember that they may not keep the pain from returning, Dr. King notes. In fact, theyre most effective when used with other therapies. And we consider surgical options only if other treatment options have failed.
Best Size Range: Nvorliy Plus Size Knee Brace
With a size range of XL to 4XL, the Nvorliy knee brace accommodates a variety of leg sizes without sacrificing quality or comfort. Inside, six flexible metal springs support the knee’s ligaments, while a shock-absorbing EVA pad reduces pressure on the kneecap. Made with a sweat-wicking neoprene material, it features four adjustable straps for a customized and secure fit. While this is technically a brace rather than a sleeve, it’s a great option if you’re recovering from an injury or require more targeted support.
“This knee brace is amazing,” one reviewer wrote. “I bought it for my mom who suffers from arthritis. She said it really helped her and worked great. The bars and side support really stabilize the knee and help her get up., walk, and keep that knee straight and strong. Very good brace and is adjustable to accommodate regular and large size knees.”;
Available at , $35
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What Is Viscosupplementation Or Gel Shots
Gel shots, or viscosupplementation, is most commonly used for knee pain secondary to arthritic change that has not been sufficiently responsive to physical therapy and/or medication.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis that often affects the knee. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage around the joint wears down and cant protect the bones that make up the joint. In osteoarthritis, loss of the joint synovial fluid contributes to joint pain and stiffness. Synovial fluid is a naturally occurring substance found within the joints which acts as a lubricant to enable bones to move smoothly over each other and as a shock absorber. Gel shots, or viscosupplementation, involve the injection of a gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid into your joint to act as synovial fluid. Injecting gel shots to the damaged, arthritic joint can help facilitate movement and reduce pain. Pain reduction can last up to 6 months.