Dose-Response Effect of Intra-Articular Ozone in Knee Osteoarthritis

This clinical trial is designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled study to investigate the dose-dependent therapeutic effects of intra-articular ozone therapy in patients with Grade 2-3 knee osteoarthritis.

Eligible participants aged 40-75 with a confirmed diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 or 3) will be recruited. Participants will be allocated into one of four parallel groups by computerized randomization.

All patients allocated to the ozone intervention groups will receive a total of 3 sessions of intra-articular ozone injections, administered once a week for three consecutive weeks. For all three treatment groups, the injection volume will be at 10 mL per session, while the ozone concentrations will vary according to the assigned group as follows:

Ozone 10 µg + Exercise: 10 mL of ozone injection at a concentration of 10 µg/mL + Home exercise program.

Ozone 15 µg + Exercise: 10 mL of ozone injection at a concentration of 15 µg/mL + Home exercise program.

Ozone 20 µg + Exercise: 10 mL of ozone injection at a concentration of 20 µg/mL + Home exercise program.

Exercise Alone (Control): Home exercise program alone.

All participants across all four groups will be prescribed a structured home exercise program. This program includes joint range of motion (ROM) exercises; strengthening exercises and flexibility exercises.

The home program will be performed for 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, throughout the 3-month study period. To improve patient adherence to exercise, patients will be provided with an exercise diary and also an analgesic diary to track analgesic use.

Clinical and functional evaluations will be performed at four distinct time points: baseline (pre-treatment), immediately after the 3rd injection session (post-treatment), 1 month after the last ozone injection, and 3 months after the last ozone injection. The clinical and functional status of the participants will be evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain severity, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for knee-specific symptoms and physical function, the Lequesne Algofunctional Index for osteoarthritis severity and physical disability, and the EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire for overall health-related quality of life. Additionally, objective functional capacity, dynamic balance, and mobility will be assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged 40-75 years diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology 2019 criteria
• Grade 2 or 3 knee osteoarthritis based on the Kellgren-Lawrence radiological classification system.
• Presence of chronic knee pain lasting for more than 6 months.
• Numerical Rating Scale score of 3 or higher during knee-loading activities

Exclusion criteria

• Presence or history of acute knee infection, major knee trauma, or inflammatory arthritis
• History of knee fracture or surgical intervention involving the affected knee joint within the last 6 months.
• History of intra-articular injections (e.g., corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, PRP) into the affected knee joint within the last 6 months.
• History of physical therapy or rehabilitation in the knee region within the last 6 months
• Presence of osteomyelitis adjacent to the knee joint, bacteremia, or hemarthrosis.
• History of malignancy involving the lower extremity.
• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to medical ozone.
• Severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, active bleeding disorders, or ongoing anticoagulant therapy.
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Active infection
• Severe systemic diseases (e.g., advanced cardiopulmonary disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus).
• Hyperthyroidism or progressive neuromuscular disorders.
• Cognitive impairment or inability to cooperate with the assessment tools and study protocol.