"Temporomandibular Joint disorders" is being prepared for 6th Semester BPT students. Ideal for Physiotherapy students

1. Temporomandibular Joint
disorders
Dr. Asir John Samuel, PhD (Physiotherapy), MPT (Neurosciences and
Paediatric Neurology), BPT, BSc (Psychology)
Additional Professor,
Yenepoya Physiotherapy College

2. Temporomandibular Joint disorders
• 1930s - Otolaryngologist - JB Costen
• Past 25 years - multifactorial

3. Temporomandibular Joint
• TMJ is a synovial joint
• Contains an articular disk
• Allows for hinge and sliding movements

4. Articulating surfaces and synovial
joint capsule
• Articulating surfaces of the TMJ are covered by a
fibrous connective tissue
• Avascular and non-innervated structure
• Synovial joint capsule and surrounding musculature
are innervated – source of pain

5. TMJ Disorders
• Prevalence > 5%
• 6% to 12% - experience clinical symptoms
• Peak occurrence between 20 and 40 years
• more prevalent in women than in men
• hormonal influence - TMJ dysfunction and
cartilaginous breakdown
• Increased levels of estrogen

6. American Academy of Orofacial
Pain – Diagnostic classification

8. Goals
• Decreasing joint pain
• Increasing joint function and mouth opening
• Preventing further joint damage
• Improving overall quality of life
• Reducing disease-related morbidities

9. Physiotherapy management
• Ultrasound therapy
• Phonophoresis
• Laser therapy
• TENS
• Cryotherapy
• ROM exercises
• Manipulation/mobilization

10. Splinting
• Stabilization splint
• Repositioning splint
• Soft splint

11. Passive stretch

12. Anteriorly displaced disc –
Closed lock