Investigation of the efficacy of İ-PRF in the treatment of internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of i-PRF injection and hyaluronic acid injection following articular washing out, in patients with temporomandibular joint internal disorders. For this purpose, 47 patients were randomly divided into two groups. After arthrocentesis, patients in the first group received intra-articular sodium hyaluronate and the second group received autologous i-PRF injection. The efficacy of the treatment was compared according to pain on palpation of joint, maximum mouth opening, ipsilateral, contralateral and protrusive range of motion of the mandible, and behavioral questionnaire. These data were recorded just before the procedure and postoperatively at 1, 3 and 6 months. The differences within and between the groups were analyzed statistically. Baseline values were similar except for the protrusive motion limit (P > 0.05). The protrusive range of motion was lower in the i-PRF group preoperatively. After the procedure, pain scores decreased in both groups. While i-PRF was more successful in the 1st month after the procedure, similar results were obtained with hyaluronic acid in the 3rd and 6th months. Positive results were obtained in both groups on maximum mouth opening, but no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. There was no significant effect on the ipsilateral movement of the mandible in either group. No effect of hyaluronic acid was observed on the contralateral movement of the mandible, while positive effects of i-PRF were noted at 6 months. Hyaluronic acid did not have a significant effect on the protrusive movement of the mandible, while i-PRF caused an increase at all-time points. Hyaluronic acid and i-PRF showed positive effects on pain, disability and psychological scores in the behavioral questionnaire. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups, i-PRF was found to be slightly more successful. In patients with temporomandibular joint internal disorders, i-PRF injection was found to be effective after arthrocentesis, and it was concluded that it showed better results compared to hyaluronate injection in terms of pain, contralateral and protrusive movements of the mandible.