The efficacy of intra-articular injectable platelet-rich fibrin application in the management of Wilkes stage III temporomandibular joint internal derangement

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid (HA) and injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) in the management of Wilkes stage III internal derangement, and to evaluate the biosupplementation capacity of i-PRF. The records of all 54 relevant patients with Wilkes stage III internal derangement confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and treated with arthrocentesis alone or in combination with HA or i-PRF were selected. The outcome variables were pain intensity at rest (VASr) and in function (VASf), evaluated with a visual analogue scale, and maximum mouth opening (MMO), evaluated in millimetres; assessments were made preoperatively, immediately after the procedure, and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. When compared to the HA and arthrocentesis groups, the i-PRF group showed significantly better improvements in MMO at 1 and 3 months (P = 0.024 and P = 0.006, respectively), VASr at 1 and 3 months (both P < 0.001), and VASf at 1 week (P = 0.019) and 1 and 3 months (both P < 0.001) postoperatively. In all groups, better MMO, VASr, and VASf values were observed compared to the preoperative status. The application of i-PRF after arthrocentesis is more effective than arthrocentesis alone or with HA in the short term. HA was found not to provide significant additional benefits over arthrocentesis alone.