Modified Single-Puncture Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Arthrocentesis Using a Spinal Needle: A Case Report

Arthrocentesis represents a minimally invasive intervention for managing inflammatory temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Although the conventional double-needle technique has long been considered the standard approach, recent single-puncture modifications aim to minimize procedural morbidity. This report delineates a refined single-puncture approach utilizing a dual spinal needle assembly. The proposed refinements enable efficacious lytic irrigation, enhance operative efficiency, and confer distinct technical advantages relative to prior single-puncture methods. In this report, a 26-year-old male presented with left-sided preauricular pain and restricted maximal interincisal opening (2 cm). He reported a five-year history of left TMJ clicking, which progressed over three months to a persistent dull ache exacerbated by mandibular excursion and mastication. Examination revealed mandibular deviation to the left on opening and marked preauricular tenderness, suggestive of TMJ pathology.