Changes of the symptoms following surgical treatment of temporomandibular joint internal derangement with disc adhesion

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to find the clinical characteristics of the patients who had temporomandibular joint internal derangement(ID) with disc adhesion(adhesion group) compared to only disc displacement without disc adhesion, perforation, hyperemia, and so on(ID group). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty seven joints were included in adhesion group and 54 joints in ID group of all 174 patients(174 joints) treated surgically and had been checked periodically over 12 months at TMJ clinic of Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, between 1992 and 1997. Mouth opening range, pain during mouth opening and biting, headache, neck/shoulder pain and TMJ sound were checked his/her every visit before and after surgery. RESULTS: The maximum mouth opening was improved significantly after postoperative 3 months in two groups(p<0.01), but adhesion group was less improved. Pain during mouth opening was improved significantly over 3 months after surgery in adhesion group(p<0.01), but in ID group 1 month after surgery. Biting pain was improved and maintained it after surgery and not significant difference between two groups. Headache and neck/shoulder pain were much improved after surgery(p<0.01), but slight relapse was found in adhesion group after 12 months. TMJ sound was more found in adhesion group after 1 month(p<0.05), but after 3 months, no significant difference was found between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative results of adhesion group were worse than ID group. Therefore, it is considered more carefully to diagnose and treat in cases of internal derangement with adhesion.