Effectiveness of physiotherapy rehabilitation on hysterical trismus

Abstract

Trismus, known as difficulty in mouth opening, commonly occurs due to disturbances in the trigeminal nerve resulting in spasm of masticatory muscles. With a literature review on rehabilitation of hysterical trismus, it was observed that there were different electrotherapeutic modalities and exercises which have their individual benefits for trismus. However, there is a lack of a set structured exercise and electrotherapy protocol for the rehabilitation of this condition which may help for better and faster prognosis. A 62-year-old female with hysterical trismus was assessed using dial caliper for mouth opening and was treated using physiotherapeutic approaches. Pre- and postintervention values were recorded. Physiotherapy interventions included hot moist pack therapy, myofascial release, goldfish exercises for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), TMJ mobilization with distraction, ultrasound, and maintenance of mouth opening using ice cream sticks. Aerospace 200-mm dial caliper was used to measure mouth opening. The present report emphasis on the effect of 2 weeks of physiotherapy intervention using a combination of electrotherapy and exercise has benefited the patient in improving the mouth opening and overall quality of life.