THE EFFECT OF ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY ON MANDIBULAR RANGE OF MOTION

Limited range of motion of the mandible secondary to intra-articular p roblems has become an accepted indication for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy. The authors have looked at 297 patients over a 2 1/ 2 year follow-up period. The patients were subdivided by their initial opening measurement (10-20 mm or 20-30 mm). The post-operative improv ement of these patients was then evaluated. Furthermore, multiple vari ables were used to look at the effect of surgical procedures, diagnosi s and other associated clinical findings on outcome. In conclusion, th e authors found that the range of motion significantly improved to a c lose to normal opening in almost all patient groupings. This finding w as unrelated to a variety of variables and supports the hypothesis tha t TMJ arthroscopic surgery has a definite role in treating restricted range of motion secondary to intra-articular pathology.