Possibilidades conservadoras para controle de osteoartrite em articulação temporomandibular: um relato de caso

Abstract

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) are understood as a set of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), masticatory muscles and associated structures. There are several sub-classifications within TMDs that may occur singly or in combination. Osteoarthritis, one of the subclassifications, is defined as an inflammatory condition that results in erosion of articular cartilage and degeneration of adjacent subchondral bone. Clinical signs and symptoms of this condition include movement-associated crackling, limited jaw movement, and intermittent pain within the joint. The aim of this study was to report a clinical case of painful degenerative joint disease in the TMJ (osteoarthritis), as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan indicated for the case. As a collaborator, a 19-year-old female patient attended the Dental Clinic of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora - Campus Governador Valadares, with the following complaint: “head, neck and shoulder pain, tiredness and tenderness light” that began five years ago. Patient assessment consisted of anamnesis, application of some questionnaires: questionnaire based on the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, hypervigilance, catastrophizing and sleep quality, and physical examination. From the data obtained, the diagnosis of osteoarthritis and centrally mediated myalgia was made. Given this situation, a conservative treatment was chosen with the use of medications, muscle stretching exercises, thermotherapy and sleep hygiene, and especially for osteoarthritis, load reduction through patient orientation and night use of an oral splint. The patient presented significant improvement regarding painful symptoms and range of motion.