Temporomandibular ankylosis

Abstract

1. Intraarticular hydrocortisone and passive manipulation under general anesthesia does not help mobilize the jaw. 2. Condylectomy gives good results in selected cases, where the duration of ankylosis is minimal. 3. Longer duration requires wide excision of the condyloid as well as coronoid processes. The opposite side also must be operated on in most late cases. A gap of more than 2 cm is left in order to avoid recurrences. 4. Postoperative physiotherapy of the jaw in the form of active and resistive movements of the jaw, if started early, gives good functional results and helps recover the function of the chewing muscles. 5. Functional results are good even without interposition of soft tissues or use of prostheses. 6. Skeletal traction after operation is unnecessary. 7. The results of adequate resection of bone followed by early and adequate physiotherapy are very gratifying to the patient.