The Effect of Exercise on Range of Movement and Pain After Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis.

PURPOSE: Arthrocentesis is an effective treatment modality for temporomandibular disorders, especially in patients who have pain and limited mouth opening. Surgeons generally suggest physical exercises after arthrocentesis and arthroscopy procedures; however, there has been no study in the literature evaluating the effects of exercise on clinical outcomes. This study investigated whether physical exercises after arthrocentesis would result in early improvements in clinical symptoms in patients with temporomandibular joint disc displacement without reduction (TMJ DDw/oR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group was composed of 27 patients with TMJ DDw/oR. Patients who needed arthrocentesis after failed conservative nonsurgical treatment were enrolled in the study. Group 1 was composed of 14 patients who were not started on a physiotherapy program after the arthrocentesis procedure. Group 2 was composed of 13 patients who were started on a self-administered physiotherapy program immediately after the arthrocentesis procedure. Physiotherapy included a 6-week exercise program. Patients were followed for 3 months. Range of maximal mouth opening (MMO) and joint pain as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) were examined to determine clinical efficacy before and after treatment.

RESULTS: In groups 1 and 2, mouth opening increased and pain scores decreased at 1-week and 1- and 3-month follow-ups (P < .05). No relevant relation was found between the 2 groups according to MMO for all time points and VAS scores at 1 week. A relevant relation was found between the 2 groups according to VAS scores at 1 and 3 months.

CONCLUSION: Physical exercise after arthrocentesis has no effect on range of mouth opening but does decrease pain.