Purpose: compare between injections of dextrose prolotherapy in two different sites in the treatment of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation.
Patient & Methods: A prospective, randomized clinical study on 16 patients suffering from recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation was assigned into two equal groups. Group I was treated using dextrose prolotherapy (2ml of 25% dextrose solution) injected into retro-discal ligament and Group II was treated using dextrose prolotherapy injected into superior joint space. All patients were examined radiographically by CT scan preoperatively to exclude any case with TMJ pathosis. Preoperative and postoperative clinical evaluation all over 6 months follow up periods for maximal mouth opening, visual analogue scale and frequency of dislocation were done for all patients of both groups. The collected data were then statistically analyzed.
Results: 75% of all patients were treated with only single injection. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding to maximal mouth opening, in both groups, showed decrease in maximal mouth opening which resolved after 1 month follow up. Both groups showed maximal peek of pain according to visual analogue scale in first 2 weeks with more pain in group II. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding frequency of dislocation.
Conclusion: dextrose prolotherapy is an effective minimally invasive method in the treatment of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation by strengthen the lax ligaments and decrease frequency of TMJ dislocation, with no significant difference between the two groups except regarding more pain and discomfort after injection in group II.