Liquid platelet-rich fibrin injections as a treatment adjunct for painful temporomandibular joints: preliminary results

ABSTRACT

Objective

To evaluate the clinical benefits of liquid platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction.

Methods

Forty-eight TMJs in 37 patients with painful internal derangement (ID) (Wilkes’ I–V) were included. Patients were injected with 1.5–2cc of PRF within the superior joint space at 2-week intervals. Pain and subjective dysfunction were recorded using a visual analog scale. Statistical analyses were done using the ANOVA test.

Results

Thirty-three of 48 TMJs (69%) showed significant reduction in pain at 8 weeks, and at 3, 6, and 12 months (Responders). Fifteen of 48 TMJs (31%) did not improve (Non-responders). The best Responders to liquid PRF injections were ID stages Wilkes’ IV (78.5%) and V (100%), compared to Wilkes’ I (0%), II (47%), and III (33%). A non-significant, but notable decrease in dysfunction was found.

Conclusion

Preliminary findings support that liquid PRF exhibits long-term analgesic effects in most patients with painful TMJ ID.

KEYWORDS:

• Arthritis
• TMJ internal derangement
• liquid platelet-rich fibrin
• tissue engineering
• pain
• i-PRF
• LSCC
• low-speed centrifugation concept

Conflict of interest

No authors, except Joseph Choukroun, possess financial interest in Process for PRF®, Nice, France. This study was not funded or supported by Process for PRF® in any way.

Additional information

Funding

This study was only partially funded, after completion of study, by the Research and Development Department of the Canada Revenu Agency.