Background & Aims

Hyaluronic acid is the main molecule of synovial fluid, which provides lubrication and health to the joint. In cases of osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid is fractionated and participates in the joint inflammatory process, causing pain, dysfunction and deterioration of joint tissue. In osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint, the pharmacological application of hyaluronic acid in the anti-arthritic phase of treatment has given great results, allowing reversing, in some cases, joint deterioration and preventing disease progression. The aim of this poster is to describe two clinical cases of intra-articular application of hyaluronic acid in patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis, highlighting its anti-arthritic and regenerative effect.

Methods

Clinical case 1 describes a 69-year-old female patient with bilateral temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis, mild in the right temporomandibular joint and severe in the left, evaluated with cone beam computed tomography. Case 2 corresponds to a 33-year-old female patient, referred after orthognathic surgery. She presents bilateral temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis, mild on the left and severe on the right, evaluated with cone beam computed tomography, presenting cortical loss, erosions and tissue irregularity.

Results

In case 1, the initial anti-inflammatory phase is performed and then the adaptive and anti-arthrosis phase is performed, in which 1 dose of intra-articular hyaluronic acid is infiltrated. After the control at one month, the patient remains asymptomatic and is controlled at one year, requesting new images. At the one year control, the patient remains asymptomatic with normal ranges of motion and the cone beam computed tomography shows the improvement of the osteoarthritic process in both joints, being marked in the left temporomandibular joint. In case 2, the initial anti-inflammatory phase is performed and the patient is prepared for surgery. Three months after surgery, in the anti-arthrosis phase, 1 dose of intra-articular hyaluronic acid is applied. The patient remains asymptomatic, the initial, post-surgery and current radiographic images are compared, showing a considerable improvement in the state of the articular tissue.

Conclusions

Intra-articular application of hyaluronic acid in the anti-arthrosis phase of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis treatment is effective in improving the disease, contributing to its use in regenerative medicine.

References

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Presenting Author

Thomas Bornhardt

Poster Authors

Veronica Iturriaga

PhD

Universidad de La Frontera

Lead Author

thomas Bornhardt MSc

Universidad de La Frontera

Lead Author

Ana Hernandez DDS

Universidad de La Frontera

Lead Author

Camila Farias DDS

Universidad de La Frontera

Lead Author

Natalie Tello DDS

Universidad de La Frontera

Lead Author

Topics

  • Specific Pain Conditions/Pain in Specific Populations: Orofacial Pain