Journal Article

Evaluation of cervical dysfunction in patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome: A prospective study

Okade, Durga, Guttal, Kruthika S, Nagaraj, Tejavathy, Sinha, Pooja, Naikmasur, Venkatesh G

2014

Overview

Objectives: The presence of signs and symptoms of craniocervical dysfunction areincreasingly recognized in patients with temporomandibular disorders. This study aimsto establish the role of cervical dysfunction in myofascial pain.Methods: A total of 20 patients of myofascial pain with cervical dysfunction and 20 patientswith only myofascial pain were considered for the study (Group 1 and Group 2). Followinghistory of tenderness of muscles of mastication, stiff ness of neck muscles, limitation of mouthopening, temporomandibular joint tenderness and assessment of Visual Analog Scale (VAS),patients were examined for muscles of mastication, maximum comfortable mouth opening,temporomandibular joint tenderness, neck muscles and cervical range of motion. Patientsin - Group 1 were treated with physiotherapy to the cervical muscles and Group 2 patientswere given physiotherapy to the muscles of mastication. Patients were assessed for the relief ofsigns and symptoms of myofascial pain post treatment and every month for 3 months.Results: Both the groups responded equally well to physiotherapy with reduction inVAS, number of tender muscles and increased maximum comfortable mouth openingpost treatment and during the follow-up.Interpretation and Conclusions: Physiotherapy to the neck muscles brought aboutsignifi cant improvement in the signs and symptoms of myofascial pain and hence cervicaldysfunction could be one of the extrinsic etiologies for myofascial pain.

• Publisher: Incessant Nature Science Publishers Private Limited
• Subject: Mastication