Total joint prosthesis for ankylosis after multiples condylar traumas

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a debilitating condition characterized by heterotopic bone growth, leading to restricted mouth opening.
• It frequently arises from inadequately treated or misdiagnosed facial trauma, particularly affecting the condylar region.

Observation:

• A 37-year-old female presented with severely limited mouth opening following three distinct traumatic incidents to her right condylar region from a motorcycle accident.
• The patient's condition was a direct consequence of misdiagnosed or mistreated trauma, leading to progressive ankylosis.
• Standard treatment protocols for TMJ disorders were insufficient, necessitating advanced surgical intervention.

Findings:

• Custom-made total joint replacement of the temporomandibular joint was successfully performed to address the severe ankylosis.
• The TMJ Concepts® protocol guided the patient's post-operative rehabilitation strategy.
• Following surgery, the patient is undergoing physical therapy to restore pre-pathological function.

Implications:

• Total TMJ replacement offers a viable solution for complex cases of ankylosis refractory to conservative treatments.
• Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, including physical therapy, is crucial for optimizing functional recovery after TMJ arthroplasty.
• This case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and timely intervention in managing facial trauma to prevent debilitating conditions like TMJ ankylosis.