Efficacy of a mandibular manipulation technique in reducing the permanently displaced temporomandibular joint disc

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether disc reduction occurred in patients with closed lock after mandibular manipulation (MM) an d to analyze the factors that influenced the result. Patients and Methods: Two hundred fifteen patients with closed lock receive d MM. Of these, 74 patients (79 joints) were assessed by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRP) for disc reduction. The results of the MRI were com pared with the findings from the clinical and radiographic examinations. Results: According to the MRT assessment, only 18% (14 of 79) of the joints had successful disc reduction. The unsuccessfully treated joints had sever e joint pain, disc displacement, condylar bone change, and disc deformity. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that successful reduction of the disc by MM is rare. They also suggest that MM is least effective in th e advanced stages of internal derangement, when the disc becomes deformed.