Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopy : Practice and Principles: Concised

TM Joint Arthroscopy is a technique for direct visual inspection of internal joint structures, including biopsy and other surgical procedures performed under visual control. The progress in research and applications of TMJ arthroscopy in joint disease have led to the acceptance of small operative procedures as a safe, minimally invasive means of effectively treating a number of intra-articular and degenerative TMJ problem. Arthroscopic surgery has been an effective treatment for TMJ disorders refractory to nonsurgical treatments and has been reported as successful in up to 80% of cases where outcome of arthroscopic surgery to the TMJ correlates with the stage of internal derangement. Studies have been variable in their scientific method and some long-term outcomes studies have been completed where both quality of life and functional outcome have been assessed. TMJ arthroscopy procedure offers patients a less invasive diagnostic and/or surgical procedure with rapid recovery period to obviate a need for open joint surgery.