Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with and without improvement after mandibular manipulation and conservative physical therapy for temporomandibular joint disorders.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with anterior disk displacement without reduction (ADDWOR) who improved to anterior disk displacement with reduction (ADDWR) vs. patients who did not improve after mandibular manipulation (MM) and conservative self-administered physical therapy (CSAPT).

STUDY

DESIGN

Of 15 patients diagnosed with ADDWOR by MRI, 7 improved to ADDWR (WOR-WR) and 8 did not improve (WOR-WOR). The clinical and MRI findings before and after therapy were compared in each group.

RESULTS

Significant differences between the groups included age, period of awareness of trismus, and maximum mouth opening (MMO). The MRI findings revealed significant differences in the degree of ADD and morphology of the disk and condyle. MMO significantly improved in the WOR-WR group between initial and follow-up visits.

CONCLUSION

Patients who were successfully treated with MM and CSAPT tended to be <30 years old, with a longer period of awareness of trismus, MMO <40 mm, a slight or moderate degree of ADD, no deformity of the disk, and no morphologic change in the condyle. Patients with ADDWOR who are treated with MM and CSAPT require an accurate clinical examination and MRI before treatment.