“TMJ” is a frequent diagnosis for pain throughout the body, especially in the jaw, head, and neck. The “temporomandibular joint” (TMJ) refers to label maladies affecting the joint as “temporomandibular disorders” (TMD).
A host of other afflictions, some of which have nothing to generate profit from unsuspecting patients.
Caveat emptor: risky and improper treatment
Dentists may use a myriad of expensive diagnostics in order toms of TMJ.
The most common “treatment” for TMJ disorders involves mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliances (MORAs). MORAs are devices placed between the teeth with the aim of correcting a patient’s bite. These devices can enact change on a person’s mouth, but the results may be less than desirable. The use of MORAs can lead too long and in inappropriate circumstances.
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MORAs are not the only harmful treatments inflicted on patients. Invasive dental restoration and TENS, the results are negligible.
Fraudulent Diagnoses: TMJ Injuries
Nearly as disturbing as unscientific treatments are the snake-oil salespeople commonly referred to the cost of damages.
Valid Treatments
While there are many unethical practitioners and erroneous diagnoses, TMD is a legitimate disorder with scientifically supported treatments, and there are ethical dentists and physicians who can prescribe those treatments. Many remedies are simple and inexpensive. In fact, the late Dr. Joseph Marbach of Harvard University School of Dental Medicine was not in favor of treating TMD with surgery at all. Surgery should only be reserved for extreme cases of jaw deformation or injury because the effects of surgery can last for a lifetime. Surgery is a last resort.
Without the use of surgery, there are many other treatments. Bite splints are an effective therapy. Bite splints can prevent patients from grinding their teeth, which reduces pain. “Night guards” function similarly to mechanical wear that can occur for patients who grind their teeth at night. Bite splints and “nightguards” are not the same as MORAs.
Warm moist compresses to be just as effective as riskier and more costly treatments.
Conclusion
“Temporomandibular disorders” are legitimate afflictions that have been used as catch-alls for a number of unrelated pains. Diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders generate profits for unorthodox dental and medical practitioners at the expense of patient health and safety. The umbrella term for TMJ injury is likewise employed to ask questions or get a second opinion before undergoing costly or invasive procedures.
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)
Complete tear of rectus femoris with large hematoma (blood)
Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited on dynamic sonography examination
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