Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Chondromalacia: The Effect of Ozone on Pain, Function and Quality of Life. A Non-Randomized Control-Trial - Abstract
Objectives: 1) To demonstrate the effectiveness of a treatment protocol with Ozone therapy on pain, function and quality of life in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) and Chondromalacia; and 2) to apply Ozone as a conservative treatment option with a demonstrable level of scientific evidence.
Material and Methods: Prospective quasi-experimental before-after study (non-randomized control-trial) on 41 patients with PFPS and Chondromalacia grade 2 or more, who attended to Santa Cristina’s University Hospital, from January 2012 to November 2016
The protocol consisted of an intra articular infiltration of a medical mixture of Oxygen-Ozone (95% -5%) 20ml, at a 20ug / ml concentration, and a total number of 4 sessions (1 per week).
Pain and quality of life were measured by Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities Index for Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) at the beginning / end of treatment.
Results: Average age 46.63 years. Women 56.09% (n =23), men 43.91% (n=18).The most frequent Chondromalacia grade was 2nd degree (n = 27, 65.9%), followed by 3rd (n = 10, 24.3%) and 4th (n = 4, 9.8%). Post-puncture erythema 9.7% (n = 4).
Pain measured by VAS significantly decreased (p<0.0001) from 6.87 to 1.46. The WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-stiffness and WOMAC-function subscales decreased significantly (p<0.0001) from 13.9 to 3 points, 2.34 to 0.41 and 41.14 to 14.09, respectively.
Conclusion: Ozone is safe and improves significantly pain, stiffness and function in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Chondromalacia.
The study shows a good level of evidence and grade of recommendation that allows us to consider Ozone as a conservative therapeutic option in the treatment of PFPS and chondromalacia.