title: Recovery of mouth-opening after closed treatment of a fracture of the mandibular condyle: a longitudinal study.
abstract: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess recovery of mouth opening after closed treatment of fractures of the mandibular condyle, and analyse which characteristics might influence recovery. We measured mouth opening in 142 patients (mean (SD) age 30 (14) years, 96 of whom were male) during follow-up at 3, 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks after the injury. Fractures were assessed on radiographs. Data were analysed using a multilevel analysis. Half the fractures were of the low condylar neck (n=71). Thirty-seven patients had bilateral condylar fractures, 29 had dislocated fractures, and in 80 the fracture was displaced. One or more additional mandibular fractures were present in 68. During follow-up mean (SD) mouth opening increased to: 33.6 (9.6) at 3 weeks, 40.1 (10.0) at 6 weeks, 45.1 (9.6) at 13 weeks, 49.8 (9.5) at 26 weeks, and 52.6 (7.5) at 52 weeks. Older age, female sex, displaced fracture, bilateral fractures, additional mandibular fractures, and the interaction between follow-up time and additional mandibular fractures, were predictors of a less favourable recovery of mouth opening. Clinicians can use the results of this study to predict recovery of mouth opening after closed treatment of fractures of the mandibular condyle at first consultation.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Niezen
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Centre for Rehabilitation, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stuive
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education and Childcare, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Post
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R R M
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Centre for Rehabilitation, School for Health Research, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: p.u.dijkstra@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: P U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D000069076:Fractures, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Closed treatment; Cohort study; Fracture of the mandibular condyle; Mouth opening; Recovery