Psoriatic arthritis is seronegative arthritis associated with skin psoriasis. However, involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is very rare. Here, we describe and discuss a case of reankylosis of TMJ secondary to psoriatic arthritis that was indicated for an artificial joint prosthesis.
A 48-year-old man had TMJ ankylosis secondary to psoriatic arthritis and underwent bilateral TMJ condylectomy in June 1993. After surgery, he could open his mouth 23 mm. He consistently performed jaw exercises, but reankylosis of TMJ developed gradually and the patient could not open his mouth more than 1 mm again. A computed tomographic scan showed complete bony reankylosis of the bilateral TMJs. In October 1996, bilateral condylectomy of TMJ with replacement by an artificial titanium joint prosthesis was performed.
Postoperatively, the patient was able to open his mouth 25mm, and he continued performing jaw exercises.