Mid- to long-term outcomes of a modified posterior semi-rigid arthroscopic suturing technique for temporomandibular joint disc displacement in 440 joints.
Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Various techniques for disc fixation via temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy have been reported, categorized as non-rigid, semi-rigid, and rigid, each with distinct advantages, disadvantages, and complexity levels. Recent modifications to traditional techniques aim to simplify this challenging procedure. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive approach for patients with internal TMJ derangement, offering faster recovery and enhanced condylar remodelling. This study describes a novel, semi-rigid arthroscopic disc fixation technique and retrospectively evaluates its long-term clinical outcomes. A total of 254 patients (440 joints) were assessed for pain using the visual analogue scale and functional parameters, including maximum mouth opening (MMO) and lateral movements, recorded preoperatively and an average of 23.35 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant improvements, with pain scores decreasing from 4.76 ± 2.37 to 0.78 ± 1.39 (P < 0.01), MMO increasing from 35.62 ± 5.16 mm to 39.27 ± 4.07 mm (P < 0.01), and lateral movements improving from 4.07 ± 1.85 mm to 6.07 ± 1.97 mm (P < 0.01). These findings highlight the effectiveness of this technique in reducing pain and enhancing joint function over the long term.