Long-term follow-up of modified condylotomy for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate disk position and patient response 10 years after modified condylotomy for symptomatic reducing disk displacement. Study designs Questionnaires and invitations to return for examination and temporomandibular joint magnetic resonance imaging were mailed to 39 consecutive patients 10 years after modified condylotomy. Results On a 10-point scale the mean pain experienced by the 17 respondents (27 joints) to the questionnaire was 2.0. Ninety percent of 20 joints (12 patients) examined were free of tenderness to palpation. Magnetic resonance imaging in 10 patients (17 joints) showed disk reduction in 59%, displacement with reduction in 29%, and displacement without reduction in 12%. Eighty-five percent of the joints met American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons criteria for a successful therapeutic outcome. Conclusions The study suggests a role for modified condylotomy in the long-term management of symptoms associated with reducing disk displacement. Further, modified condylotomy can frequently reverse an internal derangement and seems to protect against the natural progression of osteoarthrosis.