How to Perform Arthrocentesis

ArthrocentesisArthrocentesisdefinition is a well-known, evidence-based, minimally invasive procedure, described initially for severely limited mouth opening. It is a relatively simple procedure that should be part of any oral and maxillofacial surgeon skill set. Conservative and medical management of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) has been the first line of treatment for many decades. However, in the past few years, there has been a shift in the treatment algorithm. Multiple authors advocate that either shortening or omitting the traditional first line of treatment has shown to be beneficial and, in some cases, a more effective treatment modality for patients suffering from TMD. Understanding temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy, instrumentation, and appropriate surgical techniques is key to successful outcomes in treating our patient population. Our profession also has a new tendency to introduce level I arthroscopy of the TMJArthrocentesisTMJ as part of the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency curriculum. The goal is to provide oral and maxillofacial surgery residentsOral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents with the necessary armamentarium that would allow them to enhance the outcomes of arthrocentesis by being able to diagnose intra-articular pathology, perform guided intra-articular injections, and discuss specific findings and prognosis with patients, among other benefits. The purpose of this chapter is to review how to perform arthrocentesis. The arthroscopy procedure will be discussed in another chapter.