TMJ arthrotomy

Why is the procedure performed?

TMJ disease causes chronic pain in the face and ear and difficulty opening the jaw. Surgery is done to relieve these symptoms of pain in the face and ear caused by TMJ. Non-invasive treatments are usually tried first; surgery is recommended only when these fail. Before considering surgery, it is important to distinguish between dysfunction caused by muscle spasm and dysfunction caused by actual physical changes in the joint. Surgery is only indicated for the latter. Since the symptoms are very similar your surgeon should try non-surgical treatment fist. If you are not responding to these "non-invasive" treatments and radiological studies show joint changes, then surgery is an option for you. Studies show that when patients are carefully selected improvement can be expected in the 80 to 90% range. The procedure is usually well tolerated and is followed by a long period of physical therapy.


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