PREVALENCE OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CERVICAL PAIN UNDER PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT

Abstract

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is directly related to the cervical and scapular region. Disturbances in the TMJ can affect the positioning of the skull over the cervical region and can determine the postural balance through a common neuromuscular system. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) among patients undergoing Physiotherapy treatment due to cervical pain in the reference public services of Florianópolis, SC, from March to May 2006. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving all patients under Physioterapy treatment due to cervical pain (n=50). The Helkimo’s index was used to assess TMD prevalence. Visual examination based on the Portland State University postural analysis was used to establish the relationship between TMD and posture. The prevalence of TMD among the studied individuals was 90.0%. In the postural analysis it was found that the patients exhibited important alterations, suggesting that these postural changes could, hypothetically, explain the high prevalence of TMD among the patients. This study highlighted the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving health professionals who deal with individuals affected by conditions that involve the cervical spine, postural changes and TMDs.