Effect Of Shockwave Therapy On Temporomandibular Joint Pain And Trismus After Maxillofacial Surgeries

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the efficacy of Shockwave Therapy on Temporomandibular Joint Pain and Trismus After Maxillofacial Surgeries. Methods:  The present study was conducted on sixty-four patients (30 males and 34 females) with age ranging from (19 to 45) and suffered from temporomandibular joint pain and trismus after maxillofacial surgeries assigned into two equivalent groups each consisting of thirty two patients.  Group (A) was given one shockwave session per week over a period of one month consisting of 1500 to 2000 shocks at 8 Hz frequency and at a pressure of 1.5 to 2 bar on painful points of masseter and temporalis muscles as well as conventional physiotherapy program Group (B) received conventional physiotherapy 3 times per week over a period of one month consisting of (10 minutes of massage on temporalis and masseter muscles, 10 minutes of joint mobilization and exercises). Outcome measures: pressure algometry was used to assess pressure pain threshold (PPT) at masseter, anterior temporalis muscles along with temporomandibular joint, Vernier caliper was used for measurement of maximum mouth opening. Evaluation was performed before, 2 and 4 weeks after beginning of treatment. Results: shock wave group (group A) revealed significant enhancement more than control group (group B) in PPT and maximum mouth opening. Conclusion: shockwave therapy is effective in improving temporomandibular joint pain and maximum mouth opening after maxillofacial surgeries.