Maxillofacial implications and surgical treatment of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.

A case of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita that affected a patient's temporomandibular joint is described. Preoperatively, the patient's interincisal opening was limited to 9 mm. Elective surgery was performed, which consisted of bilateral coronoidotomies, right and left meninscectomies, capsular release, and lateral pterygoid myotomies. Physical therapy was initiated postoperatively. Eighteen weeks after the surgery, the patient was able to open 18 mm and force open to 20 mm. The patient also noted significant improvement in speech and jaw function in the postoperative period.