TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT OSTEOARTHROSIS AND TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT HYPERMOBILITY

For studying the relationship between condylar hypermobility of the te mporomandibular joint (TMJ) and osteoarthrosis (OA), 13 patients with bilateral condylar hypermobility were evaluated clinically and radiogr aphically, 30 years after non-surgical treatment. The evaluation inclu ded range of motion, joint and muscle tenderness to palpation, joint s ounds and masticatory function. Radiographs of the TMJs were evaluated for the absence or presence of degenerative changes. The hypermobile group (HG) was compared with a control group (CG) (n=13). The CG was e valuated in the same way as the HG. Statistics included t-tests (to co mpare ranges of motion in the HG over time and to compare ranges of mo tion in HG and CG), non-parametric tests (to compare tenderness of mus cles and joints, joint sounds, masticatory function and radiographic c hanges over time in the HG). The tests were also used to compare the s ame variables between the HG and CG group. The groups' only difference was the presence of radiographic signs of OA. In the HG the number of joints with radiographic degenerative changes increased significantly over time and was significantly higher than the CG. Clinically and fu nctionally, the HG and CG did not differ. Therefore, it is concluded t hat TMJ hypermobility is a subsidiary factor in the development of TMJ OA.