This article examines the use of mechanotherapy in combination with arthrocentesis to improve the effectiveness of treatment for patients with internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Subject of the study: internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Objective of the study:to improve the effectiveness of treatment for patients with internal TMJ disorders through the combined use of mechanotherapy and arthrocentesis. Materials and methods: at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the RUDN University, 90 patients with internal TMJ disorders were examined. The patients were divided into two groups based on their diagnosis: ‘Subluxation of the articular disc’ (Group 1) and ‘Chronic dislocation of the articular disc’ (Group 2). Each group was further subdivided into two subgroup1.1 and 2.1 included patients who received a combination of a mouthguard, arthrocentesis, and mechanotherapy as treatment methods. Subgroup 1.2 and Subgroup 2.2 (control subgroups)included patients who did not receive mechanotherapy. Results. The combined use of mechanotherapy and arthropuncture has increased the effectiveness of treatment of internal TMJ disorders. In patients with articular disc subluxation, TMJ function was restored in 90 % of cases (75 % without mechanotherapy), in patients with chronic dislocation – in 88 % (68 % without mechanotherapy). No improvement was achieved in patients with articular disc subluxation in 5 % of cases with the use of mechanotherapy and in 10% of cases without the use of mechanotherapy, and in patients with chronic dislocation there was no improvement in 4 % with the use of mechanotherapy and in 8% without the use of mechanotherapy. Mechanotherapy also reduced the number of arthrocentesis to 1–6 (subluxation) and 1–7 (chronic dislocation) injections and reduced the duration of treatment by an average of 2.1 months. Conclusions. The use of mechanotherapy combined with arthrocentesis in the comprehensive treatment of patients with internal TMJ disorders demonstrated higher effectiveness in normalizing the position and function of the articular disc compared to arthrocentesis alone.
Makarsky et al. (Sun,) studied this question.