Ozone therapy and aquatic rehabilitation exercises to overcome the lumbar pain caused by facet joint syndrome – case report

Abstract

Purpose: Facet joint syndrome (FJS) is an arthritis-like condition of the spine that can be a significant source of low back pain (LBP). Ozone therapy (OT) could be an additional treatment method. We evaluated the therapeutic results of percutaneous injection of ozone to ablate acute LBP caused by FJS. Methods: A 73-year-old Caucasian woman was treated by OT: one ozone injection (20 µg/mL) per week for 3 weeks under ultrasound guidance. After a break of 1 week, she performed exercises for aquatic rehabilitation (twice a week for 4 weeks). Results: The outcome measure was pain relief for ≥6 months according to the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) test. From baseline to 1 month after OT, a reduction in pain was documented and the result was maintained at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: OT followed by aquatic exercises could be efficacious against the LBP caused by FJS.