Intra-articular fracture of the mandibular condyle: a case report

The authors describe a case of intra-articular fracture of the left mandibular condyle, successfully treated by the pumping technique in the upper and lower joint cavities, and show arthroscopic findings in these cavities. The patient was a 15-year-old boy whose maximum mouth opening was 30 mm. Computed tomography revealed a left intra-articular sagittal fracture of the condylar head. Aspiration of the hematoma in the upper and lower joint spaces was performed with ten pumping actions. In the upper and lower joint spaces, arthroscopic examination revealed the disappearance of the hematoma. The patient continued opening, protrusive, and lateral excursive exercises. One month after the surgery, the maximal interincisal distance was improved to 45 mm with straight opening. In the case presented, mouth-opening exercises, along with the pumping technique for treatment of an intraarticular fracture of the mandibular condyle, allowed satisfactory and stable results in the improvement of limited mouth movement.