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Journal of Rheumatology and Medical Rehabilitation, vol.5, no.1, pp.38-42, 1994 (Scopus)
The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of medical and physical therapy in temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD). 130 patients with TMJD were randomly allocated to one of three groups. 50 patients (1st group) were given tenoxicam 20 mgr daily with additional 500 mgr of paracetamol when needed. 50 patients (2nd group) were given the same medical therapy plus conventional TENS treatment and 30 patients (3rd group) were given the same medical therapy plus ultrasound application. After treatment in all of the groups significant reliefs were established in pain intensity, joint tenderness and measurements of mouth opening and lateral deviation. But the number of patients with joint sounds decreased only in the 2nd group (p < 0.05). The best results were obtained in medical therapy and TENS combination therapy group (Before and after treatment values: VAS 4.88-3.28 p < 0.001, mouth opening 35.9 mm. - 42 mm. p < 0.001, lateral deviation 11.7 mm. - 16.08 mm.). Medical therapy in TMJD is efficient, however, application of physical therapy modalities increases success. The early results in relieving pain were observed with TENS therapy but ultrasound therapy was not as sufficient as TENS in treatment. Long term controls and more large patient groups are needed to determine the efficacy of physical therapy.