Role of alloplastic reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint in the juvenile idiopathic arthritis population

We present outcomes following total joint replacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in adolescent and young adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and discuss a multidisciplinary treatment model. A retrospective review was performed of patients presenting to the University of North Carolina Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service (Chapel Hill, NC) from 2016- 2018 who underwent unilateral or bilateral total replacement of the TMJ for a diagnosis of end-stage joint disease secondary to JIA. Inclusion criteria included diagnosis by a rheumatologist, presentation to our department in adolescence (under 18 years of age), surgical intervention in adolescence or young adulthood (under 25 years of age), and documentation of preoperative and postoperative pain, maximum incisal opening (MIO), and quality of life measures. A database was created and data were then analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Five patients met the inclusion criteria. All achieved MIO of more than 35mm with a mean improvement of 24mm, and were able to tolerate a regular diet. All preoperative pain had essentially been eliminated. All patients reported a considerable improvement in quality of life. To our knowledge, this is the first report to document a series of paediatric and young adult patients with JIA who required total replacement of the joint for end-stage joint disease. To our knowledge, it is also the first to describe the use of a collaborative clinic of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, neuroradiologists, dental radiologists, orofacial pain specialists, paediatric rheumatologists, and paediatric nurse practitioners, to care for these patients.