title: Arthroscopic TMJ surgery: effects on signs, symptoms, and disc position.
abstract: Nineteen subjects with documented intra-articular pathology refractory to nonsurgical therapies underwent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy involving lysis and lavage in the superior joint space. Following surgery, subjects were evaluated for 6 to 12 months by clinical examinations and questionnaires at designated time periods and by postsurgical joint imaging. Significant improvement was noted in pain, mandibular movement, and diet. No improvement was noted in the incidence of joint sounds, and disc position was unchanged in 80% of the joints. The findings suggest that disc repositioning may not be needed to achieve clinical success.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7914.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Van Sickels
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Thrash
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D013016:Sound; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics