Oxygen-ozone therapy for pain relief in patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: a proof-of-concept study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC-OA) is a prevalent hand disorder affecting a growing number of people worldwide. While a multidisciplinary approach might provide additional advantages, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory role of intra-articular oxygen-ozone (O2O3) injections combined with physical therapy is still unknown. To assess the impact of a multimodal therapeutic approach combining O2O3 injections with physical therapy in patients with TMC-OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective open-label study conducted in the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Unit of the "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital of Catanzaro. We assessed patients with TMC-OA who had not responded to standard medical therapy. Participants received O2O3 therapy and targeted physical therapy for 4 weeks. Pain relief, muscle strength, and physical functioning were assessed at baseline and after 4, 12 and 24 weeks (respectively T0, T1, T2, and T3). RESULTS: Seventeen patients with a mean age of 67.1 ± 6.1 years were included in the study. Short-term improvements in pain intensity were observed (T0 6.221 ± 1.514; T1 3.172 ± 1.1451; p < .001) and were maintained over a 24-week follow-up period (T0 6.221 ± 1.514; T3 4.393 ± 1.438; p 0.006). Significant changes were reported also in terms of muscle strength and physical functioning. O2O3 therapy was well-tolerated with no adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of O2O3 injections and physical therapy might be considered in patients with TMC-OA. Further investigation is warranted to assess the effectiveness of O2O3 therapy in managing TMC-OA.

The addition of intra-articular trapeziometacarpal O2O3 injections to physical therapy is safe and reliable for thumb osteoarthritisO2O3 injection could be considered a second-line mini-invasive approach option when simple analgesic and non-pharmacologic interventions have failed, and surgical treatment is not yet indicatedO2O3 injections in combination with physical therapy may provide benefits in terms of pain relief in patients with TMC joint OA in whom previous conventional medical therapy has been unsuccessful.