Clinical evaluation of TMJ arthroplasties with insertion of articular eminence prosthesis on ninety patients (an eight year study)

Abstract

Abstract This paper represents an analysis, accomplished over an eight‐year period, of 90 individuals who have been operated on for various arthritic diseases of their temporomandibular joints (TMJ). In arthritic changes of the joint, several changes may occur: perforation of the disc, flattening of the articular eminence, asymmetrical condy‐lar movement, and chronic synovitis. This may result in increased synovial pressure on nerve fibers within the capsule of the joint, and a variety of referred pain symptoms. Prior to operation, a careful differential diagnosis was made by an otolaryngologist and, frequently, by a neurologist/neurosurgeon and a psychologist. The prosthesis inserted during surgery was a metallic device which fits over the articular eminence in the upper portion of the joint. This prosthesis accomplishes primarily three functions: elimination of the crepitus; restoration of the contour of the eminence; separation of the articular surfaces of the joint.