Long-term evaluation of non-surgical treatment of osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

For 25 patients with osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the course of the clinical symptoms consisting of limitation of mouth opening, pain, joint sound, mandibular deviation and facial deformity was studied throughout a long follow-up period. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiographical and laboratory findings. It turned out that after a long period, only 1 patient still sufferred from the disease without any improvement. Clinical signs and symptoms exhibited a tendency of gradual improvement, and the number of patients who did not attend the TMJ clinic further increased gradually after the first year. With regard to pain, only slight occasional pain was observed by 4 patients, 15 patients became free from pain, and the remaining patients did not return to the TMJ clinic after a period of 18 months. Sounds produced by movements in the joint were observed in 22 patients at the first examination; at least 5 patients still had this symptom 18 months later, 10 patients only exhibited symptoms on rare occasions or were free from noises, and 7 patients no longer attended the TMJ clinic. 45.8% of the total number of patients recovered from the mandibular deviation, and 80% showed satisfactory mouth opening (more than 35 mm) at the last examination. Facial deformity was observed in at least 4 patients after a long follow-up period.