From the Research
Reduction Techniques for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dislocation
To reduce a TMJ dislocation, several techniques can be employed, including:
- Manipulation technique for disk displacement, which involves applying a specific method to reduce the dislocation based on the patient's position, route of approach, and timing of reducing each side 1
- The "syringe" technique, a hands-free approach that uses a syringe to guide the anteriorly displaced condyle back into its normal anatomical position, without requiring sedation or analgesics 2
- A conservative surgical approach, which involves surgically exposing the dislocated joint and manipulating the condyle back into the glenoid fossa, followed by soft tissue tethering to prevent future recurrence 3
- An extraoral route method, which applies steady pressure over the prominent part of the coronoid process and anterior border of the ramus to reduce the dislocated mandible 4
Key Considerations for Reduction
When attempting to reduce a TMJ dislocation, it is essential to consider the following:
- The patient's position and the route of approach can significantly impact the success of the reduction 1
- The use of sedation or analgesics may not be necessary with certain techniques, such as the "syringe" technique or the extraoral route method 2, 4
- Chronic or recurrent TMJ dislocations can be more challenging to manage and may require more invasive surgical procedures 3, 5
Treatment Modalities
Various treatment modalities are available for managing TMJ dislocation, including:
- Manual reduction for acute TMJ dislocation 5
- Surgical procedures, such as eminectomy, condylectomy, menisectomy, and osteotomies, for chronic or recurrent dislocations 3
- Conservative surgical approaches, which aim to reduce the dislocated condyle and restore physiological TMJ biomechanical constraints 3