TMJ inferior compartment arthroplasty procedure through a 25-year follow-up (functional arthroplasty).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) "functional arthroplasty" on the inferior compartment and disc reposition as a surgical treatment for internal derangement (ID).

Patients and methods: By retrospective chart review, all patients who had TMJ surgery on the inferior compartment for TMJ ID from 1985 to 2010 were identified. Their charts were reviewed and subjective data as well as objective data was collected.

Results: The chart review yielded 352 patients treated through this approach for a total of 696 joints involved. Analysis of the data showed that there was a good health improvement. The mid VAS about pre surgical TMJ pain was 58.3, after surgery 7.7. About headache and cervical pain the pre surgery mid VAS was 47.7, after surgery 16.7.

Conclusions: Outcome data presented show that TMJ surgery on the inferior compartment and disc reposition could be an effective and successful surgical treatment of TMJ ID. This success has been seen and maintained also in long term follow up in this specific patient population. For this reason, we propose to call this procedure "functional arthroplasty".