Reestablishing Disc-Condyle-Mandibular Fossa alignment and Condylar Repair Following Self-Care for the Temporomandibular Joint Closed Lock with Osteoarthritis: a case report

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement without reduction, often referred to as closed lock, is a debilitating condition characterized by a sudden decrease in mouth opening capacity, accompanied by TMJ pain. Over time, this closed lock can lead to the development of TMJ osteoarthritis (OA). While conservative treatments effectively alleviate TMJ pain and improve jaw function in most patients, they seldom restore normal TMJ structures. In this case report, we present a rare case of a 39-year-old woman who experienced the restoration of a normal disc-condyle-mandibular fossa relationship and the repair of OA changes following self-care for chronic TMJ closed lock with OA. She initially presented with a 7-month history of left TMJ pain and limited mouth opening persisting. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the left TMJ showed anterior disc displacement without reduction and OA changes including erosion, subchondral cyst, and sclerosis of the subchondral bone in the left condyle. Self-care, including parafunction control and stretching exercises, relieved the TMJ pain and increased the range of mouth opening. A follow-up MRI obtained 13 months following the initial MRI revealed a normal disc-condyle-mandibular fossa relationship and repair of the surface erosion with the subchondral cyst. Our clinical findings indicate that although rare, restoration of the normal disc-condyle-mandibular fossa relationship and condylar repair are possible through self-care for chronic closed lock with OA.