OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to determine the frequency of disk reduction after modified condylotomy and whether the type of displacement affected outcome. DESIGN: We classified reducing disk displacements from magnetic resonance images of 80 symptomatic temporomandibular joints before modified condylotomy. Disk position was reassessed after surgery. RESULTS: The disk and condyle typically move in reciprocal directions. The disk was reduced by surgery in 79% of the joints. The rate of reduction varied by the type of displacement, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This finding reaffirms that modified condylotomy has a high rate of disk reduction. The unexpected observation that the increase in joint space resulting from the surgery typically permitted a variable degree of spontaneous movement of the disk has implications for the nature of osteoarthrosis and internal derangement and for surgical treatments intended to reduce the risk.
OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to determine the frequency of disk reduction after modified condylotomy and whether the type of displacement affected outcome. DESIGN: We classified reducing disk displacements from magnetic resonance images of 80 symptomatic temporomandibular joints before modified condylotomy. Disk position was reassessed after surgery. RESULTS: The disk and condyle typically move in reciprocal directions. The disk was reduced by surgery in 79% of the joints. The rate of reduction varied by the type of displacement, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This finding reaffirms that modified condylotomy has a high rate of disk reduction. The unexpected observation that the increase in joint space resulting from the surgery typically permitted a variable degree of spontaneous movement of the disk has implications for the nature of osteoarthrosis and internal derangement and for surgical treatments intended to reduce the risk.