Efficacy of Autologous Blood Injections in Treatment of Chronic Recurrent TMJ Dislocation Based on its Severity: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Aim: To study the efficacy of autologous blood injections in treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation based on the severity of the condition. Method and Material: Total 26 patients with complain of chronic recurrent bilateral TMJ dislocation were included in the study. The patients were grouped into three groups based on the frequency of episodes of TMJ dislocation: Group 1 (7 patients) included patients with minimum one episode of TMJ dislocation each day, Group 2 (5 patients) included patients with minimum of 2 episodes of TMJ dislocation each week and Group 3 (14 patients) included patients with minimum of 2 episodes in last 6 months. In each joint, 2ml of autologous blood was injected in superior joint space and 0.5 ml was injected into the peri capsular area. Post injection patients were followed for the period ranging from 6 months to the 2 years. Patients were assessed for frequency of episodes of TMJ dislocation and inter-incisal opening (IO) before the start of the treatment and during the follow up visit. Results: On long term follow up (1 to 2 years) 2 patients in Group 1 showed recurrence of TMJ dislocation. However, none of the patients from Group 2 and 3 showed recurrence of the condition. It was analyzed that success of the ABI was found to be inversely proportional to the frequency of the episodes during the pre -injection phase. Conclusion: ABI is the safe, conservative, cost effective, non- invasive and simpler treatment approach for the TMJ dislocation, however the treatment outcome is better with the patients experiencing less frequent episodes.