Study Design and Methods: Fifty-eight patients with cervical spondylosis (CS) were treated with patented technology of ozone laser combined therapy using puncture needle between August 2008 and February 2010. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score changes before and 6 months after surgery and MacNab score criteria 6 months after surgery were analyzed.
Background and Objective: CS normally occurs over the age of 50 and broadly presents as either myelopathy or radiculopathy. Complementary treatment strategies have long been envisaged as a possible alternative in alleviating neck pain associated with CS; however, it is still in moderate use due to lack of adequate and convincing evidence of its safety and efficacy. The current study was to define and understand the therapeutic effects and safety of a newly developed patented technology, ozone, and laser via puncture needle, in the treatment of CS.
Results: The VAS score of preoperative neck and shoulder pain was (6.57±1.34) scores, which decreased to 1.80±0.65 at 1-week postsurgery, and was completely alleviated by the end of 1 month (VAS score 0–2 after 1, 3, and 6 mo after surgery) (Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test, H=1.680, P=0.000). VAS scores did not exhibit any significant rebound within 6 months after surgery (29 patients were excellent; 23 good; and 6 were fair, overall excellent, and good rate of 89.6%).
Conclusion: Ozone and laser combined therapy via puncture needle for the treatment of CS is safe and effective.
Department of Pain and Minimally Invasive, The 316th Hospital of People’s Liberation Army, Haidian District, Beijing, China
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Reprints: Ke Gu, MD, Department of Pain and Minimally Invasive, The 316th Hospital of People’s Liberation Army, No. A2 Niangniangfu, Xiangshan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100093, China (e-mail: guke316@126.com).
Received September 28, 2013
Accepted July 31, 2014