The short-term effect of intra-articular injection of prednisolone in patients with closed lock of the temporomandibular joint treated by pumping manipulation technique

Abstract

This study investigated the short-term effect of intra-articular injection of prednisolone in patients with chronic closed lock of the temporomandibular joint. Pumping manipulation was performed in 30 TMD patients who had unilateral closed lock of at least three months duration. These patients were randomly divided into two groups, consisting of those who were injected with a normal saline and a steroid (prednisolone 10 mg) after pumping manipulation. Maximal mouth opening (MMO), the improvement rate of joint pain and the effective rate of treatment were assessed. A 10 mg prednisolone injection significantly improved joint pain. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in regard to MMO. However, in each group MMO was significantly increased immediately after pumping manipulation. These results indicate that an injection of 10 mg prednisolone could be useful for patients who have painful closed lock.