About us
Ozone Clot Matrix (OCM)
What is Ozone Clot Matrix?
Ozone Clot Matrix therapy combines two forms of therapy: ozone therapy and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy. Platelet-rich plasma therapy uses the body’s own healing mechanisms to treat joint and muscle conditions through tissue regeneration. It does this by capitalizing on the role of platelets in the body’s natural healing response. Platelets are perhaps most commonly known for their important role in blood clotting. However, they also contain proteins referred to as growth factors. When a person is injured, platelets signal the body and these growth factors begin the process of regeneration and healing. PRP treatment involves the injection of plasma that contains a high concentration of platelets to stimulate the natural regeneration process at the site of injection. Once injected, PRP is typically active for about 24 hours.
Ozone Clot Matrix (OCM) is an augmented form of PRP that utilizes whole blood with activated platelets mixed with ozone gas. This allows for a higher capture rate of platelets as well as oxygen-rich red blood cells and stimulated white blood cells that help in cleaning up damaged tissue. This highly concentrated mixture creates a matrix that supports the platelet-rich mixture to stimulate healing at the site of injection for up to two weeks. Because the OCM is active for two weeks rather than 24 hours, the rate of regeneration and the efficacy of the treatment is greatly increased when compared to traditional PRP therapy.
What we offer
TCIM offers the Ozonated Clot Matrix (OCM) Therapy for the treatment of painful joints. This therapy is an additional ozone treatment for those who do not respond to Prolozone joint injections or Prolozone-PRP joint injections.
OCM uses B Vitamins and Amino Acids with Ozone to create a matrix where the platelets are held in a cytokine-rich and highly ozonated clot matrix. This provides cells with the ideal structure and nutrition to enhance cellular differentiation, healing, and restoration of the structure.
OCM is easier and safer than PRP; centrifuging and chemical additives are not necessary. The process produces a fibrous matrix resembling foam that when injected into joints is active for 2 weeks stimulating your own stem cell activity and regenerating cartilage.
The fibrous matrix created in OCM stays active in the joints for up to 14 days; providing an ideal environment ripe for cellular stimulation and tissue regeneration to occur. With most patients, two to three injections over three months are very effective in reaching the desired treatment goal.
The Procedure:
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The joint is anesthetized and ozone is injected into the joint.
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Blood is drawn and mixed with an amino acid/vitamin solution and allowed to clot in the Hula Cup for approximately 10 minutes.
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Then the blood is mixed with ozone back and forth (see photo above) about 30 times.
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The ozone is expelled.
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The clotted blood is injected into the joint, followed by another ozone addition.
What to expect after an Ozone Injection
The first 45-60 minutes after injection you may feel a full sensation with some slushy noises in the joint. It is important to keep some motion in the joint for the first hour without any excessive stress on the joint.
Ice should be used on the injection site for 15 minutes during the first 48 hours at least 2-3 times depending on tenderness. Avoid use of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen, sodium-naproxen, aspirin or acetaminophen) which will counter-act the healing that the inflammation will eventually promote.
Calcium and magnesium are important to take during the injection process and to maintain healthy tissues.
Most people experience some level of stability within the first 48 hours having between a 20-80% reduction of pain in the joint with improved range of motion. Over the first week, some of the pain may come back in the joint; this is normal for the healing process. We usually follow up with a second injection within 7-10 days.
After the second injection, we will start a series of either ultrasound or EMS twice a week for 2 weeks before the third injection. Sometimes we have found that the third injection may be put off for one month or better. This will vary by severity, acuteness of the condition, as well as the patient’s ability to heal.
It is important to start on some directed exercises to improve the muscle tone. The affected joint generally has experienced a loss in the range of motion and strength; the motion will be increased post injection. Tenderness and swelling are a normal part of the healing process and can be sometimes flared up with the increased motion. Initially working on the range of motion and then progressing to direct strengthening; exercise is crucial to develop long-term stability in the knee.
Like any other condition that is healing, improper exercise and over-doing activities may affect long-term stability.