Hyaluronic acid application vs arthroscopy in treatment of internal temporomandibular joint disorders

The goal of this study was to compare the treatment outcome after two different treatment modalities in cases of disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint diagnosed via magnetic resonance technique, namely surgical procedure in form of arthroscopic lysis and lavage vs. hyaluronic acid superior joint space application.

Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and one year after treatment. Simultaneously, pre- and post-treatment visual analogue scales and maximal mouth opening distance were documented.

In our study, out of the total of 145 patients who were initially diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging to have internal derangements and treated with arthroscopic lysis and lavage or hyaluronic acid application, we observed progression of internal derangement in 27 cases (18.6 %), improvement in 37 cases (25.5 %) and stationary state in 81 patients (55.9 %). Both treatment methods significantly improved the followed maximal mouth opening distance and visual analogue scale, as confirmed upon the 12‑month follow-up examination. Maximal mouth opening was 4.7mm for hyaluronic acid application and 12.2mm for arthroscopic lysis and lavage (p<0.005). The mean visual analogue scale values decreased from 6.2 to 2.1 for hyaluronic acid application and from 6.9 to 1.2 for arthroscopic lysis and lavage (p<0.005).

Our study shows that both arthroscopic lysis and lavage and hyaluronic acid injections are effective and safe in the treatment of disc displacement in the temporomandibular joint (Tab. 3, Ref. 30).