This study determines the frequency and relationship between disk position and degenerative bone changes in temporomandibular joints in children and adolescent patients with internal derangement. Study design: TMJ, MRI of 88 patients were analyzed (average age: 14.7 years-old, range age: 10-18 years-old), female n = 65 (73.9%) and male n = 23 (26.1%). Images obtained were used to determine the frequency of disk position, joint effusion (JE) and degenerative bone changes (OA). Images were assessed by a calibrated radiologist (Kappa = 0.82).
No significant association was found between disk displacement with reduction and degenerative bone changes (Chi2 = 9.894; OR = 0.375; p = 0.0017), nor disk without displacement (Chi2 = 9.448; OR = 0.223; p = 0.0021). A significant association was found between disk displacement without reduction and degenerative bone changes (Chi2 = 30.951; OR = 6.304; p = 0.0001).
There is a significant association between disk displacement without reduction and degenerative bone changes (p = 0.0001) in children and adolescent patients with TMD.