In order to compare the arthroscopic findings with pre-operative arthralgia in patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with closed lock, a pain questionnaire prior to arthroscopic surgery was taken in 20 patients. Quantitative pain score was calculated for each item on questionnaire, and arthroscopic findings on synovitis, degenerative change, and adhesion were evaluated by two surgeons to find correlations with the scores. Thus Spearman's correlation coefficients between pain scores and arthroscopic findings were tested.
The results disclosed the positive correlations between the jaw pain on chewing and the intensity and extension of synovitis, and those between temple pain and the intensity and extension of degenerative change.
These results indicated that a certain pain level in patients with closed lock is related to arthroscopic abnormal findings, consistent with synovitis, degenrative change.
