THE EFFECT OF INTRA-ARTICULAR INJECTION OF HYALURONIC ACID AFTER ARTHROCENTESIS IN TREATMENT OF INTERNAL DERANGEMENTS OF THE TMJ

This study was designed to investigate the effect of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for the treatment of internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint(TMJ). Sixteen patients with internal derangements of TMJ in 1 male and 15 females aged 68 to 18 years comprised the study material. The patients'complaint was limited mouth opening and pain during function. Patients were divided into 3 groups(articular disc displacement with reduction, articular disc displacement without reduction, osteoarthritis group). The preauricular area was disinfected anesthetized locally with 2% lidocaine hydrochloride. Arthrocentesis was performed. Hyaluronic acid(1.5.) was then injected into the superior compartment of the TMJ. Active range of motion exercises were instituted at approximately 24 hours postoperatively. Antibiotics and NSAID, three times daily by mouth, was prescribed for 3 days. Clinical evaluation of the patients was done before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, final follow-up visit postoperatively. Pain during function was assessed using visual analog scales(VAS). Maximal mouth opening was recorded as a distance between upper incisal edge and lower incisal edge. Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid caused significant reduction of pain during function, significant increase of maximal opening range. These findings suggest that intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid is useful for decreasing patient reports of pain while increasing functional mobility of the mandible in internal derangements of the TMJ.