Clinical management of a patient following temporomandibular joint arthroscopy

This case report describes a patient in whom arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was used to break up adhesions between the TMJ disc and the articular eminence and therefore improve mobility of the joint. Postsurgical physical therapy procedures used were high voltage electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, moist heat, ultrasound, ice, mobilization, and therapeutic exercises. Postsurgical goals included normalization of range of motion, elimination of pain, elimination of inflammation, and mandibular function without restriction. Special emphasis is given to an unusually effective mobilization technique used to decrease tenderness in the TMJ. The conservative therapy described may be used for persons with similar symptoms and evaluation findings who do not require surgery. [Waide FL, Bade DM, Lovasko J, Montana J. Clinical management of a patient following temporomandibular joint arthroscopy.