title: Arthrocentesis A Minimally Invasive Method for TMJ Disc Disorders - A Prospective Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc disorders are one of the major concerns to the mankind and doctors in day to day life due to its complex nature and failure to treat these kinds of conditions successfully.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of arthrocentesis in patients suffering from TMJ disc disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 subjects suffering from TMJ disc disorders were selected and treated by arthrocentesis. The subjects were followed up for a period of one year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean maximal mouth opening prior to arthro-centesis was 32.13mm and after the procedure the mean maximal mouth opening was 46.6mm. The mean right and left lateral movements before arthrocentesis were 7.15mm and 7.59mm respectively, and the mean right and left lateral movements of 9.49 and 9.31 respectively were present after the procedure. The mean degree of pain before arthrocentesis was 8.7, and after the procedure the mean degree of pain was 1.13 as per the visual analogue scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study suggested potential utility of arthrocentesis in the management of TMJ disc disorders.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences , Bhubaneswar, India .
authors.forename: Vidya Kodage
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Chandrashekhar
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oxford College of Dental Sciences , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Umesh
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kenchappa
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences , KIIT, Bhubaneswar, India .
authors.forename: Sangamesh Ningappa
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Chinnannavar
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sehora, Jammu, India .
authors.forename: Sarabjeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: Lateral mandibular movements; Maximal mouth opening; TMJ pain