A clinical-based protocol of diagnosis of temporomandibular joint open lock and treatment with arthrocentesis

Arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that provides good clinical results such as the improvement of jaw movements. It also helps to balance the synovial liquid viscosity and relieve TMJ pain by the washout of inflammatory components from the upper compartment. The purpose of this study is to report a case series of patients submitted to a clinical-based protocol of diagnosis of TMJ joint open lock and treatment with arthrocentesis.

Patients suffering from a recurrent unilateral open lock of the TMJ were submitted to one arthrocentesis of the affected TMJ and all of them reported that the open lock was caused by daily stomatognathic activities. To decide the arthrocentesis as the initial treatment of these patients, the authors followed a rational protocol of diagnosis.

Ten patients were included in the present study. No complications occurred during arthrocentesis. Immediately, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after arthrocentesis, patients did not suffer from open lock or disc click anymore. They also reported no more pain because it was strictly related to the disc click.

All patients of the present study improved from the open lock and disc click of the affected TMJ for 6 months after arthrocentesis. The clinical-based protocol of diagnosis of TMJ open lock reported in the present study, followed by the treatment with arthrocentesis is a reasonable, low-cost, and safe method to treat patients with the acute open lock.