Influence of local factors on the condylar growth after arthroscopic discopexy in adolescents with temporomandibular joint anterior disc displacement without reduction: a retrospective longitudinal study.

The aim of this retrospective longitudinal study was to investigate the condylar growth after arthroscopic discopexy in adolescents with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR), and to determine whether local or systemic factors influence this growth. A total of 145 patients aged 10-20 years who were diagnosed with ADDwoR by magnetic resonance imaging were included. Patients who underwent arthroscopic discopexy were assigned to the arthroscopy group (n = 108) and others to the control group (n = 37). Demographic information, clinical assessments, body indicators, and bone density information were collected. Condylar height, disc length, and disc position were measured. The mean condylar height change in the arthroscopy group was 2.12 mm more than that in the control group (P < 0.001). Condylar growth after surgery was negatively correlated with age (P = 0.017) and disc length (P = 0.015), and positively correlated with follow-up duration (P = 0.002) and disc position (P < 0.001). Moreover, arthroscopic discopexy patients had better outcomes regarding improvements in pain (P = 0.024), maximum inter-incisal opening (P < 0.001), and quality of life (P < 0.001) than control patients. In conclusion, arthroscopic discopexy can restore condylar growth and relieve symptoms in ADDwoR patients, and the condylar growth is closely related to the local factors.