Clinical Evaluation of Autologous Conditioned Serum Prolotherapy in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Purpose Temporomandibular disorder is a prevalent cause of non-dental, non-infectious facial pain, leading to significant discomfort and impaired function of the temporomandibular joint. Conventional treatments often offer temporary relief. Autologous Conditioned Serum prolotherapy has shown promise in other musculoskeletal disorders, but its efficacy in TMD management remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the potential ability of ACS in managing TMD. Methods A non-randomized trial was conducted among 25 patients aged 20–50 years diagnosed with TMD. Participants received ACS injections over four weeks. Primary outcomes included pain relief (Visual Analog Scale) and secondary outcomes such as joint functionality (mouth opening and range of motion) and joint clicking. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and bonferroni post hoc comparisons. Results Significant reductions in pain scores were observed from preoperative (7.08 ± 1.41) to the 6-month follow-up (2.32 ± 1.14) (F = 89.71, p = 0.0001). Improvements in mouth opening were observed, with a mean increase from 27.32 ± 4.24 mm preoperatively to 36.76 ± 3.47 mm at 6 months (F = 111.28, p = 0.0001). Range of motion showed significant improvement, with 84% of participants demonstrating a ROM > 5–7 mm at 6 months. Joint click decreased from 32% to 12%, though without statistical significance (p = 0.30). Conclusion ACS prolotherapy significantly improved key symptoms of TMD, including pain relief, mouth opening, and joint function, suggesting that ACS may be a promising non-invasive, first-line treatment for TMD, offering long-term symptom relief and functional improvement.