Surgical Versus Nonsurgical Management of Degenerative Joint Disease

As knowledge of the complexity of myofascial pain and its interaction with temporomandibular joint disorders has increased, the use of surgical procedures to treat degenerative joint disease has decreased. The focus has moved from a "surgery-first" approach toward a more cautious one that involves nonsurgical treatment as the primary modality, then minimally invasive treatments, followed by open surgical modalities, when indicated. This article examines the current literature regarding the effectiveness of nonsurgical and surgical treatments for the management of degenerative joint disease.