Diskectomy in treatment of disk derangement. A one and three year follow-up.

Diskectomy for treatment of temporomandibular joint disk derangements was evaluated clinically. The study comprised 40 consecutive patients (50 joints) with pain in the joint area and functional impairment not alleviated with nonsurgical therapy for at least 6 months. Diskectomy was performed in 32 joints. In 18 joints both diskectomy and minor arthroplasty were performed. No disk substituting implants were used. At 1 year follow-up 85% of the patients were free of symptoms from the temporomandibular joint area and showed normalized mandibular movements. Twenty patients were followed for 3 years. Two patients with arthrosis showed recurrence of symptoms. It was concluded that diskectomy is an effective surgical procedure for treatment of temporomandibular joint disk derangements.