The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between intracapsular adhesions in the superior compartment and clinical signs and symptoms in internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.
The subjects were 50 consecutive closed lock cases, involving 38 unilateral and 12 bilateral joints. Their average age was 32.4 years. The intensity and extent of adhesion were quantitatively assessed by arthroscopy and compared with the patient's age, duration of locking, opening degree, visual analogue scale of pain, functional pain score, and functional disturbance score, assessed by questionnaire.
The results demonstrated negative correlations between the intensity of adhesion and opening degree, and the intensity of adhesion and functional pain score. Therefore, intracapsular adhesion may be a main cause of hypomobility. Adhesion should therefore be treated, and this may act to relieve arthralgia in closed lock of the temporomandibular joint.
