Clinical study of the pumping pressure changes in the temporomandibular joint space before and after arthroscopic...

When arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is performed, we often observe differences in the resistance of hydraulic pressure during intra-articular pumping. It can be speculated that intra-articular adhesion and contracture of the capsule and ligament may cause these differences in resistance. In order to measure the changes in intra-articular hydraulic pressure before and after arthroscopic ablation surgery, seven cases were examined by balloon pumping technique. We concluded that the values of intra-articular hydraulic pressure are implicated in the severity of the internal derangement of TMJ.