ABSTRACT

Prior to treatment, the maximum mouth opening and lateral excursions were measured and patients were asked to record pain on a visual analogue score together with functional disturbance. At follow-up, the same parameters were measured, and a third scale used for self-evaluation of improvement or deterioration. All patients received postoperative analgesia, and diazepam nocte and were instructed to wear their bite splint at night. Physiotherapy was commenced immediately postsurgery, although exactly what techniques were used was not reported. Historically, before the advent of minimal access surgery, the treatment of acute closed lock would consist of open joint surgery. The advent of arthroscopic surgery led to a more conservative approach to the management of internal derangement, reducing the morbidity and potential long-term sequelae of open joint surgery. The long-term effectiveness of arthrocentesis has been reported in several studies. Other studies report 79 to 95% success rates in patients followed for up to three years following surgery.