Plasma rich in growth factors injection effectiveness for myofascial pain treatment in masticatory muscles. Randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background Myofascial pain in masticatory muscles is one of the most common temporomandibular disorder. Nowadays the most usable treatment methods are based on the muscle taut band cells membranes disruption, which releases the taut band. Platelets rich plasma, made with PRGF Endoret ® method, gives an opportunity to use platelet‐derived growth factors in treatment processes. It has been proven that platelet derived growth factors can relief pain and activate muscle regeneration. Objective To test a hypothesis that PRGF injections can be effective for treating myofascial pain in masticatory muscles. Methods 50 adult patients participated in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received 1ml lidocaine injections to trigger point in their masseter muscle. The second group of patients received 1ml PRGF injections. The patients’ pain were measured by using visual analogue scale (VAS). Results Statistically significant difference in pain levels before the procedure and 4 weeks after it, was found in both groups. There were no statistically significant difference between groups in pain levels before the procedure (p=0,063) and 2 weeks after it (p=0,123), however, statistically significant difference was noticed 4 weeks after the procedure (p<0,001). 4 weeks after the procedure patients’ average pain in lidocaine group was 3.4 on VAS, and it was 0.9 in PRGF group. Conclusions PRGF injections in masseter muscle affected by myofascial pain syndrome is an effective treatment method. PRGF injections more effectively relief myofascial pain in masseter muscle than lidocaine injections.