Effectiveness of intra-articular temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis for patients with osteoarthritis and compared arthrocentesis/lavage alone with arthrocentesis/lavage and injected hyaluronic acid

Long-term effectiveness of arthrocentesis with and without hyaluronic acid injection for treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

Article specifications

This clinical trial was published in 2019 in Journal of J Oral Sci. (IF 2010: 2.16) by Norwegian dentists. This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of intra-articular temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis for patients with osteoarthritis and compared arthrocentesis/lavage alone with arthrocentesis/lavage and injected hyaluronic acid. Forty patients met the inclusion criteria, and 37 completed long-term follow-up (approximately 4 years).

 

Results

Average maximum incisor opening increased significantly in both groups but did not significantly differ between groups. Joint sounds did not significantly improve within groups. Both methods resulted in significant long-term improvements in pain and jaw function. In conclusion, arthrocentesis of the TMJ reduced pain and improved function after short- and long-term observation. These outcomes were not changed by the use of medication during arthrocentesis.