Internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint treated by discectomy and hemi-arthroplasty with a Christensen fossa-eminence prosthesis

Patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) who have failed to respond to conservative treatment can be treated by discectomy and insertion of a Christensen fossa-eminence prosthesis, provided there is no clinical or radiological evidence of condylar disease (such as avascular necrosis). A total of 42 patients who had significant symptoms related to internal derangement of the TMJ, despite nonsurgical treatment, had discectomies and fossa-eminence prostheses inserted. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were recorded for Gape, Pain and restriction of feeding. All but one of the 34 patients showed improvements in their symptoms postoperatively. There were no serious postoperative complications.