European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background:Patients of MPDS present with varying degrees of unilateral facial pain, masticatory muscle tenderness, joint crepitation and limitation of mandibular movement. The present study was conducted to assess role of physiotherapy in diagnosis and treatment of the Myofascial Pain Dysfunction syndrome. Materials & Methods: 80 patients with Myofascial Pain Dysfunction syndrome of both genders were divided into 2 groups of 40 each. Group I patients were treated with passive movement and group II with relaxation. Resisted static contraction for opening, closing, protrusion and lateral movement were performed on all patients by instructing the patient to attempt these movements against the resistance of the operator's hand so that temporomandibular joint movement is minimal. This test is positive if pain was reproduced in the muscle being statically contracted. The masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoid were palpated bilaterally on all patients at both the attachments and muscle bellies for assessment of tenderness. Results: In present study, out of 80 patients, males were 35 and females were 45. Resisted static contractions showed pain in 12% and no pain in 82%, on palpation, 30% had pain and 70 % had no and on EMG, spasm was present in 20% and no spasm in 80%. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Symptom-free or occasional pain was seen in 65% in group I and 76% in group II. Little or no improvement was seen in 35% in group I and 24% in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Physiotherapy found to be effective in management and treatment of patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome.