[Fracture induced constriction treated by Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)]

Aspects of the history of treatment of painful joints are commented upon. It is pointed out, that the medical and dental professions have for more than 125 years been aware, that immobilization of joints may have harmful effects. Still, research on therapeutic motion of painful joints dates back only 25 years. A case is reported of fracture associated constriction, possibly due to secondary involvement of the temporalis muscle and especially its tendineous insertion on the muscular process of the mandible. When the patient was treated with the CPM apparatus Mobilimb J1 the interincisal distance increased from 13 mm to 46 mm. According to literature CPM has so far been used only as adjunctive physical therapy after surgical intervention. On the basis of data in the literature the author is studying the effect of CPM on reduced mobility of the jaws as primary treatment without surgery.