A prospective assessment of outcomes following the use of autologous blood for the management of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation

Purpose

The objective of the study was to compare results of treatment for chronic recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation (CRTMD) by autologous blood injection (ABI) using two different methods of administration (combination intra- and peri-articular, and peri-articular alone).

Materials and methods

Forty patients diagnosed with CRTMD were randomly divided into two groups of 20 each (A and B). Group A were treated by intra- and peri-articular blood injection, group B were treated by peri-articular injection alone. The follow-up was done at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The study assessed presence of dislocations, pain (VAS, 0–10), interincisal mouth opening (IMO), and the presence of sound phenomena. The treatment was considered successful in patients without the persistence of CRTMD symptoms, as well as with a VAS of 0–1.

Result

After 12 months, a beneficial therapeutic effect in group B was seen in 11 patients, while 16 patients from group A had a therapeutic effect.

Conclusion

Intra- and peri-articular ABI is more effective than peri-articular blood application alone in the treatment of CRTMD, although the difference was not statistically significant.