Degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint after diagnostic arthroscopy. An experimental study in goats

Arthroscopic procedures for diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are widely used. Few adverse effects of the procedures have been reported. In this in vivo study, diagnostic arthroscopy was performed in the left TMJ of seven castrated male goats, the right TMJ serving as a control. The goats were killed 1, 2, and 3 months after the arthroscopy. Macroscopic and microscopic examination revealed no apparent pathologic changes in two animals, minor changes in two, and severe degenerative changes in three. This study indicates that arthroscopic intervention in the TMJ may cause irreversible changes in the articular tissues.