Résumé
The objective was to evaluate the effect of intra- articular morphine sulfate injection following arthrocentesis on patients with TMJD. Thirty patients with refractory TMJD underwent arthrocentesis for the TMJ and were divided into two groups. First group was given morphine sulphate intra-articularly post arthrocentesis, but to the other group no intra-articular medication was given. Patients were evaluated for pain, joint sounds and mouth opening pre and postoperatively. There was a significant improvement regarding pain scores, mouth opening and joint sounds in both groups. The first group showed more improvement immediately post operatively. Arthrocentesis of the TMJ is a simple procedure for refractory TMJD cases with significant improvement in symptoms. Morphine sulphate as an intra-articular injection following arthrocentesis further improves the immediate post-operative symptoms