Rehabilitation of the temporomandibular joint after arthroscopic surgery

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1992 May;73(5):531-6. doi: 10.1016/0030-4220(92)90090-d.

Abstract

Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a new, relatively noninvasive surgical procedure for treating patients with TMJ dysfunctions beyond management by nonsurgical means. Ninety-two patients who underwent diagnostic and operative TMJ arthroscopy completed a staged physical therapy regimen, which resulted in functional mobility and mandibular use with little or no pain at 24-month follow-up. This report introduces TMJ arthroscopic diagnostic and surgical procedures and their respective rehabilitative protocols currently used to provide beneficial outcomes in postoperative treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthroscopy
  • Humans
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Postoperative Care
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / surgery