What is the typical recovery time for an open reduction of a jaw fracture?

Recovery Time for Open Reduction of Jaw Fracture

The typical recovery time for an open reduction of a jaw fracture is approximately 6-8 weeks, though complete healing and return to normal function may take up to 3 months depending on fracture complexity and patient factors.

Initial Recovery Phase (0-2 weeks)

• Immediate post-operative period focuses on pain management, infection prevention, and initial healing
• During the first 2 weeks, patients typically experience:
  • Significant swelling and discomfort 1
  • Limited mouth opening 2
  • Dietary restrictions (soft food and liquid diet) 1
• If intermaxillary fixation (IMF) is used, it may be maintained for as little as 2 weeks in cases of minimally displaced fractures 3

Intermediate Recovery Phase (2-6 weeks)

• By 6 weeks post-surgery:
  • Initial bone healing has occurred 3
  • Patients begin to regain mandibular motion, though not yet at normal levels 2
  • Soft tissue healing is well-established 1
  • Most patients can resume a more normal diet, though still avoiding very hard foods 1

Advanced Recovery Phase (6 weeks - 3 months)

• Between 6 weeks and 3 months:
  • Bone healing continues to strengthen 3
  • Mandibular motion progressively improves 2
  • Patients treated with open reduction may experience a faster rate of improvement in maximum interincisal opening (0.43 mm/month) compared to those treated with closed reduction (0.15 mm/month) 2

Return to Normal Function

• Most patients achieve normal maximum mandibular excursions within 3 years after treatment, regardless of whether open or closed reduction was performed 2
• Patients treated with open reduction may reach normal levels of mouth opening sooner than those treated without surgery 2

Factors Affecting Recovery Time

• Fracture location and complexity 4
• Patient age and overall health 4
• Presence of comminution or displacement 1
• Use of postoperative maxillomandibular fixation 5
• Compliance with postoperative instructions 1

Common Complications That May Extend Recovery

• Wound dehiscence and infection (occurs in approximately 4-7% of cases) 5, 4
• Malocclusion (occurs in approximately 1-1.3% of cases) 5
• Hyposensitivity of lip and chin (most common complication, affecting about 15% of patients) 4
• Plate removal requirements (approximately 2-2.5% of cases) 5
• Nonunion or malunion (rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases) 5

Important Considerations for Optimal Recovery

• Strict adherence to oral hygiene protocols is essential for preventing infection and promoting healing 3
• Patients with shorter periods of intermaxillary fixation (2 weeks vs. 4-6 weeks) demonstrate:
  • Better recovery of maximal mouth opening 3
  • Improved oral hygiene status 3
  • Less weight loss 3
• However, healing time may be slightly longer with shorter IMF periods (7.2 weeks vs. 5.4 weeks) 3

Clinical Pearls

• Recent evidence suggests that maintaining postoperative maxillomandibular fixation may not be necessary for all patients after open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures, particularly for dentate patients with non-comminuted symphyseal, parasymphyseal, or angle fractures 5
• In cases where fracture fragments are aligned without displacement, occlusion is normal, and facial symmetry is maintained, spontaneous healing may occur with conservative management (soft diet, limited mouth opening, oral hygiene, and analgesics) 1