Internal derangement of temporomandibular joint: an evaluation of effect of corticosteroid injection compared with injection of sodium hyaluronate after arthrocentesis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Internal derangements are the commonest disorders of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Different treatment modalities including conservative and surgical methods have been proposed to treat the same. Arthrocentesis is gaining popularity in the treatment of internal derangement of TMJ. Being minimally invasive it does not have the demerits of surgical approaches and at the same time is producing better results than conservative approaches. This study evaluates and compares corticosteroid and sodium hyaluronate after arthrocentesis in the treatment of internal derangement of TMJ.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with internal derangement were randomly selected and divided into 2 groups (8 in each group). Arthrocentesis of the upper joint space was then performed using Ringer lactate under local anaesthesia followed by injection of either betamethasone or sodium hyaluronate into the joint. Clinical data was collected in the form of pain (visual analog scale), maximum mouth opening, joint sound and deviation before and after treatment up to 6 months.

RESULTS: Both groups of patients were benefited from the treatment at the 6 month follow up and there was slightly less intensity of pain in sodium hyaluronate group compared with corticosteroid group. Maximum mouth opening was also increased in both groups. A decrease in clicking and deviation were seen in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference between betamethasone and sodium hyaluronate.

CONCLUSION: Intra articular injection of corticosteroid or sodium hyaluronate after arthrocentesis had considerable effect on the TMJ. Both betamethasone and sodium hyaluronate can be used after arthrocentesis with similar results.