Temporomandibular joint dislocation: A 7-year retrospective study in Two Nigerian Teaching Hospitals

Abstract

Context: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation constitutes about 3% of all reported joint dislocations worldwide. The study presents our experience with TMJ dislocation and its management at two tertiary healthcare centers in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of patients managed for TMJ dislocation at two healthcare facilities over a period of 7 years was conducted. The diagnosis was clinical with confirmation by radiographic findings. Bio-data, predisposing conditions, duration of onset of presenting complaints, and treatment techniques were documented. Cases were classified as unilateral (right or left) or bilateral and they were further sub-classified as acute (less than or equal to 2 weeks of presentation to the clinic), chronic (greater than 2 weeks of presentation to the clinic), or recurrent (more than one episode of dislocation before presentation). Results: A total of 25 cases were analyzed. There was a slight male preponderance 13 (52%) observed with a male/female ratio of 1.1: 1. The mean age is 35.52 ± 17.36 years and a range of 15-80 years. Majority 18 (72%) of the patients were diagnosed with acute TMJ dislocation. The principal predisposing factor was yawning 12 (48%) and most of the patients had bilateral TMJ dislocation 19 (76%). Hippocratic maneuver was the treatment main method of choice in 14 (56%) of the patients. Conclusion: Bilateral TMJ dislocation was the most common pattern seen in our environment.