THU0544 Study of the effects of ozone versus steroid injection on patients with recalcitrant tennis elbow; a clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Tennis elbow is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder. In recent years ozone injection has been proposed as a treatment for many musculoskeletal disorders. This study aims to compare the effect of ozone injection with steroid in patients with recalcitrant tennis elbow. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of ozone with the standard treatment of steroid injection in patients with tennis elbow, resistant to conservative treatments. This comparison is made according to VAS score, Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and modified Mayo clinic performance index for elbow. Methods: In this study 64 patients with tennis elbow, which have had the symptoms for more than 3 months and were resistant to conservative treatments, were randomised to two groups. In steroid injection group 40 mg of methylprednisolone acetate and in zone injection group 4 ml of ozone with concentration of 15mcg/ml was injected. 32 patients in steroid and 29 patients in ozone injection group finished this study. Data were gathered before injection and 2 and 6 months after that by VAS score, modified Mayo clinic performance index for elbow and PPT (measured by the means of an algometer). Variables were compared between the two groups and also the changes in each group have been measured in reference to baseline data. Results: In both groups VAS score, Mayo clinic performance index and PPT improved significantly in 2 and 6 month follow up. Steroid injection was significantly better than ozone injection in improving 2 and 6 months pressure pain threshold and 6 months Mayo clinic performance index. Other data didn't show significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Both steroid and ozone injection improved pain and function in patients with recalcitrant tennis elbow for at least 6 months. Steroid injection was superior to ozone injection in improving PPT during the 2 and 6 month follow up and function improvement in steroid group was significantly more than ozone group after 6 month.