[Video arthroscopy in diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders]

Video arthroscopy using the double puncture method was applied in 32 patients with disc dislocations, disc perforations, rheumatoid arthritis and varying joint disorders of unidentified etiology. In disc dislocation cases the alterations observed in the superior joint cavity correlated well with the preoperative diagnosis, whereas minor and lateral disc perforations escaped detection by arthroscopy, possibly due to technical problems. Based on a critical assessment of this method, arthroscopic operative techniques are being developed for disc dislocations and hypermobility disorders, possibly even for chronic arthritis and related conditions.