EFFECT OF LAVAGE WITH INJECTION OF SODIUM HYALURONATE FOR PATIENTS WITH NONREDUCING DISK DISPLACEMENT OF THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ravaging of the superior joint space with injection of sodium hyaluronate can be used as an alternative treatment method for nonreducing disk displa cement of the temporomandibular joint. Study design. In 26 patients wi th nonreducing disk displacement of the temporomandibular joint, the s uperior joint space was rinsed with 1% xylocaine, and then sodium hyal uronate was injected there (experimental group). As a control group, 5 0 patients with nonreducing disk displacement of the temporomandibular joint who received no treatment were used (control group). The freque ncy of the patients with successful clinical resolution was evaluated in each group during 6 months. Results. The frequency of the patients with successful clinical resolution in the experimental group (73.1%) was significantly high er than that in the control group (36.0%) at th e 6-month follow-up (chi-squared test, p<0.05). Conclusions, This ther apy appears to represent an alternative treatment method for nonreduci ng disk displacement of the temporomandibular joint.