TMJ Disorder and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), you are probably eager to learn more about this disease. EDS is relatively rare syndrome, and it is an umbrella diagnosis that encompasses a spectrum of tissue disorders under its classification. EDS affects the connective tissues in the human body, such as:

  • Blood vessels
  • Bones
  • Skin
  • Organs

This disorder is characterized by hyper-mobility of the joints, meaning that the joints have an unnaturally and possibly harmfully large range of movement. This abnormal elasticity of body tissues can place EDS patients at a higher risk for suffering from:

  • Joint dislocation
  • Severe bruising
  • Weak muscle tone
  • Organ malfunction
  • Spinal disorders

EDS can range from mild in severity by causing loose or painful joints, to having life-threatening implications from causing internal bleeding or organ rupture.

Disorders of the Temporomandibular Joint and EDS

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD, is characterized by pain and dysfunction of the jaw. TMD sufferers commonly experience the following symptoms:

  • Restricted movement or locking of the affected joint
  • Discomfort and problems when chewing and biting
  • Clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth
  • Pain or ringing in the ear
  • Reoccurring headaches
  • Aching in the cheek
  • Reduced range of movement in the temporomandibular joint

Patients who suffer from TMD have also been shown to the disease.

Treating TMD and EDS Gently and Effectively with Chiropractic
Care

Since EDS patients are already predisposed tor can evaluate the jaw of an EDS patient by:

  • Performing a physical examination
  • Performing soft tissue scans
  • Performing x-rays
  • Measuring the degree of hyper-mobility in the jaw

Chiropractic care helps to prevent dislocation and further ill effects from both syndromes.

Chiropractic Care – Working in Harmony With Other
Treatments

Your chiropracto:

  • Correct vertebral misalignments
  • Encourage the strengthening of weakened muscles
  • Work toward developing a healthful range of motion in the jaw

By creating a comprehensive physical therapy plan that addresses the individual needs of each EDS and TMD patient, your chiropracto conduct their care.

Chiropractic care offers an actionable and practical course of treatment for people suffering from EDS and TMD. By accessing compassionate and evidence-based therapies, like the procedures available at New York Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation (NYDNR), surgery can often be avoided. We create in-depth, individualized courses of treatment for effective pain management and enhancing your quality of life.

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In this instance, an athlete was originally diagnosed with minor quadriceps muscle strain and was treated for four weeks, with unsatisfactory results. When he came to our clinic, the muscle was not healing, and the patients’ muscle tissue had already begun to atrophy.

Upon examination using MSUS, we discovered that he had a full muscle thickness tear that had been overlooked by his previous provider. To mitigate damage and promote healing, surgery should have been performed immediately after the injury occurred. Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the patient now has permanent damage that cannot be corrected.

The most important advantage of Ultrasound over MRI imaging is its ability to zero in on the symptomatic region and obtain imaging, with active participation and feedback from the patient. Using dynamic MSUS, we can see what happens when patients contract their muscles, something that cannot be done with MRI. From a diagnostic perspective, this interaction is invaluable.

Dynamic ultrasonography examination demonstrating
the full thickness tear and already occurring muscle atrophy
due to misdiagnosis and not referring the patient
to proper diagnostic workup

Demonstration of how very small muscle defect is made and revealed
to be a complete tear with muscle contraction
under diagnostic sonography (not possible with MRI)

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Complete tear of rectus femoris
with large hematoma (blood)

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Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited
on dynamic sonography examination

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