An audit of 405 temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis with intra-articular morphine infusion

The management of refractory pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is both challenging and controversial. Arthrocentesis is a simple technique that can be used instead of more invasive procedures in patients with pain that fails to respond to conventional conservative measures. We undertook an audit of 405 arthrocenteses in 298 patients over a 10-year period who had refractory pain in the TMJ. The pain was assessed subjectively by a visual analogue scale, both before arthrocentesis and at 1 and 6 months, and 1 year afterwards. A significant reduction in pain score was found after arthrocentesis (P < 0.001) and 269 patients (90%) found the procedure beneficial. We recommend arthrocentesis as an effective, minimally invasive technique in patients with continuing pain in the TMJ that is unresponsive to conservative management.