title: High condylectomy for treatment of arthritis of the temporomandibular joint.
abstract: A review of 55 high condylectomies is presented with a discussion of diagnosis, rationale, technique, some simultaneous problems, and complications. An average two-year follow-up shows good results, and the procedure is thought to be useful when indicated. Many of our respondents, who classified themselves as improved, were actually cured of their arthritis, but had a previously diagnosed synergistic disorder. Muscle spasms and anxiety syndromes frequently required continued treatment after a 6- to 12-month interval. Despite the difficulty in diagnosis and the frequent occurrence of simultaneous disorders there is a definite place for the high condylectomy. Its use, however, is still restricted at this institution to that group of patients with persistent pain in the TMJ or severe functional disorders caused by actual pathologic conditions of the condyle. After surgery, all patients should be followed for at least two years for recurrence of any TMJ-related disorder.
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D001168:Arthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000628:therapy