Short-term effect of fresh disk allograft on the osteoarthrotic sheep temporomandibular joint.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this experimental study is to evaluate the effect of fresh disk allograft on the osteoarthrotic temporomandibular joints in four sheep.

STUDY

DESIGN

Bilateral osteoarthrosis was induced in the sheep's temporomandibular joint. Three months later, unilateral diskectomy and fresh disk allograft repair were performed, with the contralateral joint being left as a control. At 6 months after the initial procedure, 3 months after the repair, the four sheep were sacrificed.

RESULTS

It was found that the operated joint was fibrously repaired without ankylosis, whereas the control joint showed progressive disease. One grafted disk survived, but the other three were perforated and displaced.

CONCLUSION

Fresh disk allograft does temper progression of the disease in the early stages.