John Radke
BM, MBA, EE
Milwaukee, WI, USA
USA
Session 9 · DAY 1 (Nov. 5, 2026) · 16:00–16:30 CET
Joint Vibration Analysis complements TMJ imaging for determining patient TMJ status
Abstract
While the history and clinical examination procedures can reveal important information, too often they alone are inadequate to arrive at an accurate diagnosis of TMJ status. MRI and CBCT add morphologic and physiologic inputs, but the statis of how well the temporomandibular joints are functioning may remain unclear.
Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) can evaluate the level of adaptation of internal derangement and other changes in TMJ function. For example:
When disc reduction is measured at early opening and the vibration appears acute, the prognosis of successful non-surgical recapture is elevated.
When the TMJ disc is permanently chronically displaced, but with minimal high frequency vibrations and a near normal range of motion, good adaptation is indicated that often does not require additional treatment.
Stability of the current statis of the TMJs is often a criterion for initiating specific treatments and can be arrived at by combining all these inputs.
While MRIs and CBCTs can be very useful for diagnosis, they are usually limited as outcome measures due to their relatively high costs or ionizing radiation. In contrast, JVA is very low cost (2 to 3 minutes of labor only) so it can repeatedly track outcomes.
JVA measurements provide complementary information to the history, clinical examination and imaging data making JVA additive rather than competitive in nature.
Learning Objectives
- The methods and technologies for analyzing TMJ vibrations
- The ways JVA can is used effectively in clinics
- Why JVA is complementary to history, examination and imaging
Biography
John C. Radke, BM, MBA (Electronics Engineer) trained in the U. S. Navy. Developed the original Kinesiograph and other devices together with Barney Jankelson at Myotronics in Seattle from 1/1972 until 8/1983. Designed first s, EMG for dentistry (EM-1r 1978). Joined BioResearch Associates in 9/1983 to develop IBM-PC software to analyze K5-AR Kinesiograph data.
Patented the 2-lead biphasic ULF-TENS (Bio, TENS 1986). Developed vibration analysis of temporomandibular joints using artificial intelligence (1990 to 1998). Worked with T. Maruyama and A. Lewin to develop jaw tracking and EMG analysis of mastication. Developed the Masticatory Kinesiometric Index. Publications = 117, citations of research = 2110.