dexamethasone + local anaesthetic

Dexamethasone + local anaesthetic is a combination intra-articular injection used for the management of pain and inflammation in joint disorders, specifically temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement. Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic glucocorticoid that acts as an agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor, providing long-acting anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production and stabilizing lysosomal membranes. The local anaesthetic component (such as lidocaine or bupivacaine) provides immediate, short-term analgesia by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, thereby inhibiting nerve impulse conduction. In clinical trials conducted by the University of Anbar, this combination served as a standard-of-care comparator to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in improving mouth opening and reducing joint clicking and pain associated with TMJ internal derangement.

Other names

dexamethasone with local anaestheticdexamethasone and local anaesthetic