Pumping injection of sodium hyaluronate for patients with non-reducing disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint: two year follow-up

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term effect of pumping injection of sodium hyaluronate into the TMJ in patients with non-reducing disc displacement. Patients: Sixty patients with non-reducing disc displacement underwent pumping injection of sodium hyaluronate (pumping group). Seventy-six patients with non-reducing disc displacements were observed without any active treatment (observation group). Study design: In both patient groups clinical signs and symptoms were observed periodically for 2 years. Variables such as age, range of maximum mouth opening, angle of posterior slope of the articular eminence and degenerative bony changes of the condyle at the initial visit were also examined. Cox hazards analysis was applied to examine the clinical outcome for such variables in addition to the results of pumping injection of sodium hyaluronate. Results: Pumping injection of sodium hyaluronate seemed to have a favourable effect when compared with the control group (untreated) (p=0.0002). However, the four background variables mentioned could not be explained as predictors of outcome. Conclusion: Pumping injection of sodium hyaluronate seems to be effective for non-reducing disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint. Copyright 2001 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.