Clinical and radiologic six-year follow-up study of patients with crepitation of the temporomandibular joint.
Combined clinical and radiologic follow-up investigations of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) crepitation are seldom seen in the literature. The aim of the present study was to clinically and radiologically re-examine twenty-four patients with TMJ crepitation six years after treatment was completed. Eleven patients initially had unilateral crepitation and thirteen bilateral. Symptoms and clinical signs were reduced. The localization of the condyle at intercuspal position as well as at maximum mouth opening was unchanged in the majority of the TMJs. Structural bone changes had existed in 30 of the 37 TMJs in 1974. The original structural bone changes were preserved in twenty of the TMJs, bone structure was altered in ten and six had remained normal. One normal TMJ developed structural bone changes. The most common alterations consisted of increased sclerosis in the mandibular fossa and disappearance of erosions in the condyle. Since the symptoms and signs were reduced and the radiological changes were small, the prognosis for patients with TMJ crepitation must be considered good.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011859:Radiography; D013016:Sound; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy