Temporomandibular Joint and Cervical Spine Mobility Assessment in the Prevention of Temporomandibular Disorders in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heterogeneous group of hereditary disorders of connective tissue diseases characterized by increased bone fragility, low growth, sometimes accompanied by abnormalities within the dentine, blue sclera, and partial or total hearing impairment. The changes may affect all joints, including the cervical spine and temporomandibular joints in the future, resulting in pain. The aim of the present study was to assess whether there is a relationship between the active range of motion of the cervical spine and the mobility of temporomandibular joints due to differential diagnosis in children with osteogenesis imperfecta, and to present a prevention algorithm for temporomandibular disorders. The study involved a group of 34 children with osteogenesis imperfecta, and the control group included 23 children (age 9.1 ± 3.8 years). Data were collected through an interview based on the author’s questionnaire, and the physical examination consisted in measuring the mobility of the cervical spine using an inclinometer (Cervical Range of Motion Instrument), the Helkimo scale, and linear measurements. In children with congenital bone fragility, there were acoustic symptoms from the temporomandibular joints more often than in healthy children. A correlation was found between the mobility of the cervical spine and temporomandibular joints in the study group. In the case of detecting irregularities in the temporomandibular joints, children were ordered to perform jaw-tongue coordination exercises.

The Effect of Individual Nursing on Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders

“…Surgery is usually indicated for the clinical treatment of TMD [ 19 ], and its efficacy is not ideal. In order to promote the early recovery of patients, we should take targeted nursing measures according to the actual situation of patients.…”

Efficacy of massage versus massage with post isometric relaxation in temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial

“…Specifically, the alliance between dentistry and physical therapy helps to settle early diagnosis and substantially enhances the effectiveness and accuracy of therapeutic approaches to follow [ 16 – 18 ]. In physiotherapy management, patient education [ 19 ], therapeutic exercises [ 20 ] modalities like Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation TENS [ 21 ] Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation LASER Therapy [ 22 ] and manual therapy [ 23 , 24 ] are promoted. In the literature, there are various types of research done on therapeutic exercise efficacy in enormous sub-acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders, and is recommended with a combination of manual therapy (MT) in TMD patients [ 25 ].…”