Abstract
Background: Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) are the most common form of non-odontogenic orofacial pain. TMDs are considered a biopsychosocial disorder with a multifactorial pathogenesis. Patients with TMDs frequently present with cervical spine disorders, headaches and otological complaints. Physiotherapists are often sought to assess and treat TMDs. The use of a radar graph and triangulation to represent phenotyping patients with complex pain presentations has been discussed in the literature with the aim of supporting the best course of treatment for patients with complex and enigmatic pain presentations.
Highlights
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to pain and dysfunction manifesting from the masticatory myofascial and temporomandibular joint [1]
TMD symptomology can lead to considerable compromise of quality of life for those chronically affected and impart Journal of Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology significant healthcare costs [3]
Dizziness has been identified as a manifestation of various neuro-otological disorders [29], the critical integration of afferents from dense proprioceptors in the upper cervical spine into numerous vestibular and oculo-motor reflexes [30] and the high coexistence of upper cervical spine dysfunctions in people with TMD [31] and headache [33] provides a compelling rationale for musculoskeletal physiotherapists to further explore such symptoms
Summary
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to pain and dysfunction manifesting from the masticatory myofascial and temporomandibular joint [1]. Patients with TMDs frequently present with cervical spine disorders, headaches and otological complaints. Physiotherapists are often sought to assess and treat TMDs. The use of a radar graph and triangulation to represent phenotyping patients with complex pain presentations has been discussed in the literature with the aim of supporting the best course of treatment for patients with complex and enigmatic pain presentations. We describe the different domains we prioritise in the assessment and the means by which they are assessed It is hoped by presenting our radar graph in the literature other clinicians may find it helpful or adapt it as they see fit. The radar model discussed has been of value in our service and we believe this paper demonstrates its adaptability to TMDs. Evaluation of its ability to augment treatment planning and delivery is required, .
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