A Study to Compare the Effectiveness of Conventional Treatment Versus Temporomandibular Joint Mobilization in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) refers to a group of disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticator muscles and the associated structures. These disorders share the symptoms of pain and limited mouth opening due to oral sub mucosal fibrosis (OSMF). So in each group taken both type of patiens,10 patients having TMJ pain and 10 patients having OSMF.

Patient having TMJ pain given conventional therapy in form of Ultrasound and isometric exercises and patients having OSMF given Ultrasound and stretching exercises.

Mobilizations are indicated when the assessment has illuminated any of the following: pain, progressive limitations of functional mobility, post arthroscopic TMJ surgery, reversible joint hypo mobility, or muscle guarding or spasm.

Objectives: To study the effects of a TMJ mobilization programme in relieving pain and on improving maximal mouth opening in patients with TM disorders.

Methods: Study included 40 patients with temporomandibular disorders between age group 20-40 years. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group - A and Group - B. They were treated for 3 weeks, 6 days a week once daily. Pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale and maximal mouth opening was measured as an objective outcome with the special scale.

Results: Results showed significant improvement in VAS and in maximal mouth opening in both groups. Comparison of Group A and Group B was done with Wilcoxon Rank sum test (Mann Whitney U test) and unpaired t-test, Group B showed significant improvement in VAS (P=0.0047) and in maximal mouth opening (P=0.0383)

Conclusion: TMJ mobilization programme along with conventional physical therapy intervention is more effective in relieving pain and improving maximal mouth opening than conventional physical therapy alone in patients with temporomandibular disorders.