Patient response to temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: preliminary findings in 24 patients.

A group of 24 patients who underwent TMJ arthroscopy with lysis of adhesions and lavage of 28 joints were evaluated for changes in symptoms and mandibular opening. The mean follow-up period was 7.5 months. The results revealed a general improvement in pain, joint noise, and hypomobility following TMJ arthroscopy. Measurement of mandibular opening revealed a mean increase of 5.9 mm. These results suggest that TMJ arthroscopy appears to be an excellent modality for the palliation of symptoms of TMJ pain, joint noise, and hypomobility.