The arthroscopic appearance of acute temporomandibular joint trauma.

The arthroscopic appearance of the temporomandibular joint following acute trauma sufficient to result in mandibular fracture was described in 40 joints in 20 patients. It was found that 38 of 40 joints showed evidence of intra-articular damage. Hemarthrosis with shredding of the disc and joint surfaces was the most common finding. The hemarthrosis rapidly resolved but the shredding remained. The degree of damage was related to the site of mandibular fracture with the most damage being seen when the condylar neck was not fractured.