Clinical Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Biolaser Versus Ozone Therapy in Reducing Chronic Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Three-Month Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Background: Biolaser is an emerging technology, which has attracted the attention of many surgeons and specialists in different medical fields. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of ultrasound-guided biolaser radiation versus ozone therapy in reducing chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis during a three-month follow-up. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients referring to pain clinic of Shohadaye-Tajrish and Akhtar hospitals in 2017, were included in this randomized single-blind clinical trial study. According to a randomized table of numbers, in Biolaser group (n = 30): 10 mL of normal saline + 5 mL of lidocaine 1% + BioLaser + Physical Therapy and in the Ozone group (n = 30), received 10 mL Ozone (30 mic/mL) plus 5 mL lidocaine 1% + BioLaser placebo + Physical Therapy received. The patients were evaluated for pain using VAS and knee function with KOOS questioner. The patients were followed up 4 & 12 weeks and reviewed at weeks 12 after the injection by an observer who was unaware of the groups (IRCT20111121008146N15). Results: Comparison of the mean age (56.8 ± 8.5 years in the biolaser group vs. 51.5 ± 5.4 years in the ozone therapy group; P = 0.721) and body mass index (31.1 ± 3.4 kg/m2 in the biolaser group vs. 30.5 ± 2.6 kg/m2 in the ozone therapy group; P = 0.214) did not indicate any significant differences between the two groups. The pain severity decreased significantly at different times in the biolaser and ozone therapy groups (P = 0.018). The knee pressure sensitivity score was 1.3 ± 0.5 in the biolaser group and 1.6 ± 0.4 in the ozone therapy group at 12 weeks post-treatment (P = 0.037). The knee circumference was also 35.6 ± 3.0 cm in the biolaser group and 39.7 ± 3.9 cm in the ozone therapy group at 12 weeks post-treatment (P = 0.032). The KOOS performance score was 46.9 ± 9.4 in the biolaser group and 49.3 ± 7.9 in the ozone therapy group (P = 0.187). Besides, the KOOS quality of life score was 10 ± 1.3 in the biolaser group and 10.4 ± 1.5 in the ozone therapy group (P = 0.586). Conclusion: Biolaser therapy under ultrasound guidance was found to be a safe, non-invasive, and effective method, which could improve chronic pain in knee osteoarthritis during a three-month follow-up.