Comparison of the effectiveness of arthrocentesis in acute and chronic closed lock: Analysis of clinical and arthroscopic findings

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of temporo mandibular joint arthrocentesis in acute and chronic closed lock patients. Eighteen patients with closed lock of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) wer e treated with fine needle fiber arthroscopic observation following arthroc entesis. Maximal mouth opening (MMO) and intensity of pain (VAS) were evalu ated at pretreatment and each posttreatment appointment (one week, one mont h, three months following treatment). The clinical and arthroscopic finding s were analyzed categorizing two groups into: good (A) and poor (B) groups, At pretreatment there was no significance relative to age or the mean MMO and VAS between the groups, but the mean of duration of the symptoms in gro up B was significantly longer than in group A (P < 0.03). Group B showed mo re severe synovitis, adhesions, and chondromalacia than group A (P < 0.01). Results suggest that arthrocentesis is more effective in closed lock of sh ort duration where there is less severe synovitis, adhesions, and chondroma lacia.