Physical rehabilitation approach to temporomandibular disorders—a clinical case

Abstract

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders are an umbrella term covering pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles and associated structures. These conditions can negatively affect body posture, daily activities, and quality of life. The challenges in the entire diagnostic process and the complex treatment indicate the need of a multidisciplinary approach to temporomandibular disorders. Aim: The aim of this article is to monitor the effectiveness of an individualized rehabilitation plan for temporomandibular dysfunction . Materials and Methods: A 58-year-old woman diagnosed with a severe temporomandibular joint dysfunction underwent a 10-day rehabilitation course, including laser puncture, ultrasound, interference current therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, muscle relaxing techniques, and fitball. Results: We founded a significant improvement in De Fonseca index, total Quality of Life score and range of motion as a result of the treatment. Conclusion: The personalized administration of physical and rehabilitation modalities acts not only as a focused therapy, but determines the long-term effectiveness of the treatment of temporomandibular disorders.