Prolotherapy to the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
December 31, 2011 by admin
Filed under Dr. Darrow's Blog
Prolotherapy and TMJ
Is dextrose prolotherapy for the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hypermobility? New medical research says yes.
“Prolotherapy with 10% dextrose appears promising for the treatment of symptomatic TMJ hypermobility, as evidenced by the therapeutic benefits, simplicity, safety, patients’ acceptance of the injection technique, and lack of significant side effects.”
The temporomandibular joint is where the jaw meets the cranium. The condition known as temporomandibular joint syndrome develops from a combination of inter-related factors, usually starting with poor head posture that contributes to the stretching and weakening of the cervical ligaments and lateral TMJ ligaments. As a result, the lower jaw slips forward, aggravating the situation further by putting additional stress on the ligaments and the joints.
One characteristic of TMJ is the loud popping or clicking of bones rubbing together in the loosened joint, accompanied by pain and stiffness as the muscles tighten, trying to compensate for the instigating laxity.
Conventional treatments include TMJ arthroscopy and various types of surgery, TMJ implants, injections of botulinum toxins, and cauterization. All of these are invasive and somewhat risky, and treat the immediate problem while largely ignoring future consequences.
Prolotherapy is a highly effective treatment for TMJ Syndrome, particularly when the related neck ligaments are treated along with the TMJ ligaments. By strengthening these two sets of ligaments, Prolotherapy can eliminate not only the existing TMJ (and any neck-related) problems, but also helps to circumvent recurrences as well.
J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2011 Dec;69(12):2962-70. Epub 2011 Jul 16.
The efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy for temporomandibular joint hypermobility: a preliminary prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Refai H, Altahhan O, Elsharkawy R.