Experimental degenerative temporomandibular joint disease.
As a possible cause of osteoarthrotic changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), trauma has often been suggested in the literature. Very few authors have tried to test the reliability of this theory by animal experiments. Sixty Wistar albino rats, divided into two main groups, were used in this investigation. In the first group of 10 rats, a trauma of the articular cartilage was inflicted. In the second group, small defects were made on different segments of the articular disk only, avoiding damage to the remaining components of the TMJ. The traumas of the articular cartilage almost completely healed within the experimental period. When the disk was damaged, besides degeneration of the disk itself, changes of the condylar head, similar to changes observed in arthrotic human material, were found.
Lekkas
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Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries; D008338:Mandibular Injuries / Q000150:complications; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology*