According to a study, arthrocentesis followed by Triamcinolone acetonide demonstrated superiority in terms of enhanced mouth opening, whereas Sodium hyaluronate injection was superior in terms of pain relief in patients with internal derangement of temporomandibular joint (TMJ).  Researchers compared the effectiveness of intra-articular injections of Triamcinolone acetonide and Sodium hyaluronate following arthrocentesis.

A total of 40 patients with internal derangement (stages 1-4) of  TMJ were enrolled in this prospective randomized comparative trial and were randomly segregated into 2 groups. Following arthrocentesis, 20 patients in group A were given intra-articular injections of Sodium hyaluronate, whereas 20 patients in group B were given intra-articular injections of Triamcinolone acetonide.

The presence or absence of a clicking sound, the maximum mouth opening (mm), and the clinical parameters of pain (VAS) were assessed prior to surgery, on day 7, one month, and three months afterwards. At all time points, both groups' pain scores improved profoundly, with Sodium hyaluronate being superior. At all the time points, all subjects had better mouth opening, with Triamcinolone acetonide being superior but not clinically meaningful treatment.

At all time intervals, there was a clinically insignificant decrease in the clicking sound in both groups. Hence, the use of Sodium Hyaluronate and Triamcinolone Acetonide after arthrocentesis for treatment of internal derangement of TMJ is promising.