Objective: To determine the frequency of different symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and their association with upper cross syndrome.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on 78 individuals with temporomandibular joint dysfunction through non probability convenience sampling technique. The Research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) questionnaire was used and postural assessment of cervical spine and shoulder, flexibility testing of upper trapezius, levator scapular and pectoralis major along with deep flexor endurance test was done to make a diagnosis of upper cross syndrome.
Results: There was moderate to high association between upper cross syndrome and different variables of TMJ dysfunction, as 76% had upper cross syndrome. Lateral deviation of jaw, limitation in jaw opening and difficulty in chewing hard food were moderate to highly associated with upper cross syndrome with P value for all variables were 0.00 and r=0.791, 0.657 and 0.628, respectively.
Conclusion: TMJ dysfunction is associated with upper cross syndrome. We found variety of severity levels and associated prognostic indicators.
Key words: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, cervical pain, forward head posture, Physical Therapy Modalities.
|
