Conservative management of condylar fracture in a pediatric patient: Case report.

Abstract

Introduction: Condylar fractures in the pediatric population present a high potential for bone remodeling and usually respond favorably to a conservative approach based on functional rest, dietary restriction, and myofunctional therapy, in order to maintain stability of the temporomandibular joint, control pain, and prevent alterations in craniofacial growth and development. Objective: To describe the evolution of conservative treatment of condylar fracture in a pediatric patient. Case report: A 5-year-old female patient was referred by a maxillofacial surgeon due to a medially displaced condylar fracture following an impact to the chin, diagnosed through clinical examination and computed tomography. The patient was treated non-surgically with periodic follow-up and myofunctional therapy; clinical controls were performed at the first week, at 1 month, at 2 months, at 6 months, and at 1 year, combined with guided opening, closing, and laterality exercises. The initial mouth opening was 22 millimeters, and at the final follow-up, it was 40 millimeters, with recovery of lateral and protrusive movements without pain. Conclusions: Structured conservative management of condylar fractures in children can achieve complete functional recovery without requiring surgical intervention, provided regular follow-up and proper performance of mandibular exercises are ensured.