[Fractures of the condylar region]

Condylar fracture are responsible for: homolateral TMJ disorders following discal apparatus lesions such as: disc displacement, discal lesion, osteoarthrosis of articular surfaces (condylar and temporal), contralateral TMJ disorders, more frequent, with destabilisation of the masticatory apparatus and decrease of ramus height or compensatory hypermobility. Functional treatment can prevent articular and muscular ankylosis. It is often indicated: non-displaced low undercondylar fractures or after surgery. Surgical reduction is indicated in two cases: displaced-low undercondylar fracture. The discal apparatus is intact and function usually excellent, displaced-high undercondylar fractures with 90 degrees head luxation. The bone reduction and contention must be associated to discal apparatus control. If dislocated or displaced, the apparatus should be replaced and sutured. Four factors are implicated in articular function: the fracture position, bone displacement (condylar head in or out of the glenoid fossa), discal apparatus integrity (the lower layer of the retrodiscal tissue is involved in bone regeneration especially in infants), and the quality of occlusion.