title: Rehabilitation of the temporomandibular joint after arthroscopic surgery.
abstract: Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a new, relatively noninvasive surgical procedure for treating patients with TMJ dysfunctions beyond management by nonsurgical means. Ninety-two patients who underwent diagnostic and operative TMJ arthroscopy completed a staged physical therapy regimen, which resulted in functional mobility and mandibular use with little or no pain at 24-month follow-up. This report introduces TMJ arthroscopic diagnostic and surgical procedures and their respective rehabilitative protocols currently used to provide beneficial outcomes in postoperative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Fla.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Wilk
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McCain
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011182:Postoperative Care; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery