Figure 4.

(A) Scatter plot of MMP level versus the maximal incisal opening. No correlations are detected between any of the MMPs with MIO (p≥0.43). (B) MMP levels for samples from joints with a most severely degenerated Wilkes stage of 5 (hashed bars; squares) and those with a Wilkes stage less than 5 (unfilled bars; circles). Tissues from joints with a Wilkes stage 5 score have greater expression of active MMP-1 than tissues from less degenerated joints (*p=0.04; Wilcoxon rank sum test). Bar plots depict mean±standard deviation (SD) of data with single data points shown for each sample. (C) Exemplary T2-weighted MR images (S06) in the closed position of the healthy, unoperated right TMJ and degenerated left TMJ prior a TJR. Substantial condylar degeneration and flattening is evident on the degenerated TMJ which was assigned a Wilkes stage of 5, an osseous MRI score of 3 (out of 4), and a total MRI score of 3 (out of 4); no inflammatory changes were noted. Scatter plots of MMP level versus the EuroTMjoint total score from subjects (n=5) with MR imaging. MMP levels for each sample with an accompanying MR report were included separately; so, MMP levels of both the ligament and disc samples for subjects S09 and S13 were included as unique data points in correlation analyses with MR scores. Data points are staggered around discrete MRI scores for data visualization. There are no correlations detected with total MRI score and any of the MMPs probed (p≥0.1502; τ≤0.54). (D) There is no relationship between total (circles) or osseous (squares) MRI score with pain.