Disk position before and after modified condylotomy in 80 symptomatic temporomandibular joints.

OBJECTIVE

Our primary objective was to determine the frequency of disk reduction after modified condylotomy and whether the type of displacement affected outcome.

DESIGN

We classified reducing disk displacements from magnetic resonance images of 80 symptomatic temporomandibular joints before modified condylotomy. Disk position was reassessed after surgery.

RESULTS

The disk and condyle typically move in reciprocal directions. The disk was reduced by surgery in 79% of the joints. The rate of reduction varied by the type of displacement, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This finding reaffirms that modified condylotomy has a high rate of disk reduction. The unexpected observation that the increase in joint space resulting from the surgery typically permitted a variable degree of spontaneous movement of the disk has implications for the nature of osteoarthrosis and internal derangement and for surgical treatments intended to reduce the risk.