ASSESSMENT OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD VERSUS DEXTROSE PROLOTHERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEMPORO- MANDIBULAR JOINT HYPERMOBILITY. A RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to assess the injection of autologous blood versus the dextrose prolotherapy for the treatment of TMJ hypermobility. Material & methods: This study was conducted on 30 patients who had TMJ subluxation. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups. Group A: 15 patients received autologous blood injection, and Group B: 15 patients received dextrose prolotherapy. Clinical evaluation was performed through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess patients’ pain preoperatively, at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Painless maximum interincisal opening (MIO) was measured preoperatively, 2 weeks, and 3, 6 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis of data was performed. Results: Group B showed a significant (p≤0.001) higher MIO values compared to Group A for all follow-up intervals. There was Significant (p≤0.001) reduction in VAS scores at 2 weeks postoperatively in group A. While, the reduction in VAS at 2 weeks was non-significant (p≥0.001) in group B, but at 1 months postoperatively VAS started to show significant (p≤0.001) reduction. Conclusion: autologous blood injection was superior to dextrose prolotherapy regarding the number of injections needed, pain improvement, and maximal interincisal opening reduction.