, 2010.
This study aimed for evaluation of the clinical response to arthrocentesis with and without intraarticular piroxicam injection in relation to synovial level of TNF-α in patients of TMJ clased lock. Eighteen patients were refractory to conservative treatment and were divided into 2 equal groups. In the study group arthrocentesis was performed followed by intraarticular piroxicam injection. In the control group, arthrocentesis was performed alone. Synovial fluid samples were obtained immediately before arthrocentesis and then at one week postoperatively for biochemical evaluation of TNF-α. The patients were clinically evaluated preoperatively, 1week and 3months postoperatively.
In the current study, with the exception of significantly higher mean visual analogue scale reduction at the preoperative-one week period and the significantly higher mean MMO increase at the period one week-three month in group II, the evaluated parameters showed insignificant difference between groups throughout the study intervals.