Introduction: Arthrocentesis has been used in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to analyze components of the synovial fluid or as a therapeutic procedure associated or not with the admini- stration of a drug. The rabbit is one of the most commonly used animal species as a model for pathologies that affect the TMJ. The aim of this study was to propose a specific technique to perform arthrocentesis on the rabbit TMJ, emphasizing descriptions of reference points and measurements for a successful puncture without complications. Materials and methods: Fourteen adult rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used. The project was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Universidad de La Frontera (File Nº083/2016). Results: The description of the technique was divided into three steps: 1) Location of the rabbit TMJ, 2) Positioning of the needles in the TMJ, and 3) Passage of fluid through the TMJ. Conclusions: This arthrocen- tesis technique could help to simplify the procedure and give the investigator a guide for joint washing and extraction of synovial fluid in the rabbit TMJ.

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the second most common cause of chronic pain in the human musculoskeletal system. The triad of symptoms of TMD includes: pain within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), limitation of its mobility and crepitations. The aim of the study was to present the methods of physiotherapy and to assess its effectiveness in patients with hypomobility of temporomandibular joints.

Material and Methods: 44 patients (40.2 ± 10.6 years) were examined for signs of TMD using the Manual Functional Analysis of masticatory system (MFA) questionnaire due to DC/TMD. In the above group, 20 patients showed hypomobility of TMJs and myofascial pain. They underwent a 3-week phy-siotherapy consisting of manual therapy and exercises. In the study group, linear measurements of TMJs mobility and palpation of selected masticatory muscles were performed. Pain was assessed before and after 3 weeks of therapy according to Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Statistical processing of the data was done with STATISTICA 13 and was conducted considering significance at a p-value <0.05.

Results: Significant improvement in TMJ’s mobility, which increased on average by 6.6 mm (p = 0.0005) and reducing of pain, a decrease of 3 points on average on the NRS Scale (p = 0.00002) were achieved.

Conclusions: The applied physiotherapy algorithm, including manual therapy and exercises of mas-ticatory muscles, is effective in the case of improvement TMJ’s range of motion and reduction of pain in patients with hypomobility of TMJ’s.

Significant impact factor and psycho-emotional stress in the etiology of dysfunction indicate the need of the routine approach in the treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders to be changed. The aim of the study was to obtain data, documented test results as to the efficiency of progressive muscle relaxation in the treatment of pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorders, as a supplement to previous methods using occlusal splint and other physical therapies. The study included 100 patients of both sexes, aged from 20 to 35 years who were diagnosed with pain due to temporomandibular joint disorders accompanied with high muscle tension of musticatory muscles which were treatment by relaxation therapy. All patients underwent physical examination, specialized functional examination of the masticatory system in accordance with the Polish version of the study RDC/TMD (The Research Diagnostic Criteria of Temporomandibular Disorders, Axis I — physical assessment, Axis II — assessment of psychosocial status and pain — related disability) and assessment of psycho emotional factor and stress, based on the survey developed for their own purpose. The results of the research were obtained using specialized statistical package “R” i386 3.2.3. The results of examinations aft er relaxation therapy showed a signifi cant reduction in the intensity of myofascial pain in all patients. Progressive muscle relaxation can be successfully used as an supportive therapy treatment of patient with dysfunction.