2002 年 27 巻 3 号 p. 237-245
Regarding improved range of mouth opening for patients with temporoman-dibular joint arthrosis, improvements in elasticity of the upper joint cavity and relaxation of the articular capsule are believed to be involved. When the maxillary joint cavity is pressurized and irrigated, it expands, thus increasing volume. In the present study, to investigate the relationship between range of mouth opening and elasticity of the joint cavity in temporo-mandibular joint arthrosis, elasticity of the temporomandibular joint cavity was assessed mechanically based on volume of the upper joint cavity and changes in outflow before and after temporoman-dibular joint cavity irrigation. In addition, the relationship between these mechanical parameters and changes in range of mouth opening before and after irrigation was investigated. While outflow increased after irrigation in some patients with temporomandibular joint arthrosis (I type), it decreased after irrigation in others (D type). Of the 60 joints studied, 43 Type I joints (71.7%) were identified. Sufficient improvements in range of mouth opening could not be achieved when the elasticity and volume of the upper joint cavity were small and when relaxation of the upper joint cavity was seen after PLS.