Ultrasonography Validation of Condylar and Pre-Condylar Distances and its Correlation with the Arthralgia Intensity Attributed to Local Arthritis

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) represent a prevalent form of musculoskeletal pain observed in individuals with chronic pain. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective therapeutic interventions, with imaging examinations playing a crucial role in assessing articular structures, as outlined by the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Given the significance of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation in dentistry, the integration of ultrasonography (USG) into clinical practice facilitates early detection of joint pathologies. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between condylar and pre-condylar measures to determine which more accurately reflects capsular expansion associated with intra-articular effusion and the intensity of arthralgia reported by patients in the future. Measurements of condylar and pre-condylar distances were conducted in a cohort of volunteers. The Spearman correlation coefficient between condylar and pre-condylar distances was determined to be 0.36. The results suggest a statistically moderate correlation between condylar and pre-condylar measures, indicating that the latter may serve as a potentially less biased and more valid screening tool for identifying capsular expansions attributed to intra-articular inflammation and associated pain in patients with TMD.