Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy for disk displacement without reduction is unknown. This study compared this treatment method with nontreatment controls.
METHODS:
Sixty patients with painful disk displacement without reduction and without osseous changes were randomly divided in 2 groups, consisting of NSAID and physical therapy and a nontreated control group. Both groups were observed at 2 weeks and, for those patients who did not show any improvement, again at 4 weeks.
RESULTS:
There was 60% improvement in the treatment group compared with 33% in the control group during the entire 4 weeks of the study. The number needed to treat for benefit was 3.75, with a 95% CI 2.103 to 65.935.
CONCLUSIONS:
A combination of NSAID and physical therapy for 4 weeks is effective as a primary treatment of patients with disk displacement without reduction and without osseous changes.