Review article
The role of physical therapy in patients with temporomandibular joint disorder
Tomislav Badel
orcid.org/0000-0001-5872-1132
; Department of Removable Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ladislav Krapac
; Polyclinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Velika Gorica, Croatia
Aleksandra Kraljević
; Clinic of Rheumatic Diseases and Rehabilitation, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Abstract
Temporomandibular disorders are musculoskeletal disorders of the stomatognathic system related to other parts of the locomotor system: pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), craniocervical muscular fatigue, especially of the masticatory muscles, limitation of mandibular movements, and presence of joint clicking. Since there is no gold standard in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders, noninvasive and reversible methods are preferred. Physical therapy, particularly exercise and mobilization of temporomandibular joints with masticatory muscles, have a very important role in the treatment. Moreover, once the physical therapist instructs the patient, he/she can continue doing the exercises at home according to an individual exercise program and depending on the subjective evaluation of its effects on pain reduction and improvement of mandibular mobility. Although causal co-dependence with cervicocranial disorders has not been completely confirmed, it has been recommended to include disturbances related to the cervical spine into joint physical therapy within a framework of physiatric-rheumatologic treatment. Along with a review of the literature, particular attention has been given to integrated diagnosis and physical therapy of functional disorders of the temporomandibular and border cervical regions.
Keywords
physical therapy; temporomandibular disorders,; temporomandibular joint
Hrčak ID:
93078
URI
Publication date:
2.8.2012.
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