Estimation of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction in Oral Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND: The Objective of this study was estimation of Temporomandibular joint dysfunction in oral cancer survivors. METHODS: The hundred patients with oral cancer who had undergone radiotherapy or chemotherapy were randomly selected as per inclusion criteria. Range of motion of temporomandibular joint(TMJ), visual analogue scale (VAS), Manual muscle testing (MMT), Auscultation test, Chvostek test and swelling over orofacial muscles were used as the Outcome measures. RESULTS: The findings of this study revealed that the Temporomandibular joint was significantly dysfunctional. The group analysis demonstrated statistically significant impairments in all the Outcome measures. VAS (p<0.0001), ROM for all four motions (p<0.0001), Manual muscle testing (p<0.0001), Provocation test (52%), Auscultation test (92%), Chvostek Test (4%), and swelling (56%) were all shown significant dysfunction of TMJ. CONCLUSION: This study showed that pain was increased during activity than at rest based on the findings of VAS pain rating scale. It was found that the range of motion of TMJ was significantly reduced; however muscular strength was minimally affected. Majority of survivors were tested positive for the provocation test and auscultation test and few for Chvostek test which indicated the involvement of facial nerve.