Evaluation of Efficacy of 10% Dextrose Prolotherapy in Management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Prospective Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of 10% dextrose prolotherapy in the management of temporomandibular joint disorder. Thirty patients aged between 18 and 62 years, diagnosed with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) persisting for more than six months and unresponsive to other conservative treatments, were enrolled in the study. Over four subsequent visits, spaced six weeks apart, each patient received injections of 3 ml of 10% dextrose solution into the temporomandibular joint space. Parameters assessed included pain levels, frequency of luxations/dislocations, episodes of locking per month, maximal mouth opening, and clicking, evaluated every six weeks for a duration of three months. All patients exhibited improvements in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs), manifested as reduced pain, clicking sounds, locking episodes, and increased maximal mouth opening, following prolotherapy treatment. These improvements were found to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.05). Dextrose prolotherapy is a treatment method with broad applications and should be considered prior to resorting to long-term pharmacotherapy or surgical interventions. The use of 10% dextrose prolotherapy presents a promising treatment modality for temporomandibular joint disorders, as evidenced by its therapeutic benefits. © Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2024.