Akiko Matsumoto, Tadashi Sasai and Ken Matsumoto
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is defined as bony or fibrous adhesion of the anatomic joint components accompanied with the mouth opening limitation. However, effective treatment method has not been still established. A 63-year-old man without dentofacial deformity visited our hospital with a complaint of limitation of mouth opening due to periarticular bone formation. His joints were possible of hinge movement; maximal incisal opening (MIO) was 17 mm. He refused surgical treatment. So he was treated mobilization therapy of TMJ when he visited our clinic and instructed to perform mouth-opening exercise by himself to prevent the progression of bony ankylosis. By successful of physical therapy, 6 months after, MIO was 28 mm. Limitation of mouth opening was not bothering him so much. After 9 years, periarticular tissue calcification was slightly progressive. But his joints of hinge movement were still remained. MIO was 25 mm. This case, physical therapy could be effective to prevent the progression from fibrous ankylosis of temporomandibular joint to the bony ankylosis.