Systemic administration of MTX seems to have a positive effect upon the inflammatory process in the rabbit TMJ but fails to eliminate the sign of arthritis completely.

Antigen-induced arthritis causes severe damage in the TMJ of young rabbits. An improvement seems to be achievable by a systemic administration of etanercept.

Antigen-induced TMJ arthritis was found to involve severe problems of growth similar to those in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Etanercept can improve the volume development but does not reestablish an entirely normal rate of growth.

MTX seems to have a positive impact on growth in rabbits suffering from experimental arthritis of the TMJ.