Evaluation of TMJ surgery in cases not responding to conservative treatment

The aim of the study was to evaluate the treatment outcome after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery, which was performed in 33 patients (27 women and six men) between 1970 and 1986. Before surgery, the patients received different types of conservative treatment for an average time of 29 months. The most common diagnosis was anterior disk displacement (ADD) with or without reduction (n = 10), followed by unspecified arthralgia (n = 8), osteoarthrosis (n = 7) and ankylosis (n = 4). Standardized clinical records served as the basis for comparison of symptomatology at comparable time points. Furthermore, 31 of the 33 patients were subjected to a clinical follow-up, including anamnestic, clinical, radiological and cast analysis, 2-17 years after operation. Pain, sleeping problems and consumption of analgesics were significantly reduced after surgery. The anamnestic, as well as the clinical dysfunction indices, according to Helkimo, were also significantly reduced. TMJ clicking was reduced, but crepitations increased in number. The best improvements were seen in patients with ADD without reduction and in patients with ankylosis.