Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, M. J.; ALDAYA, C.  and  FERNANDEZ-BAENA, M.. The management of pain secondary to TMJ syndrome using peripheral nerve stimulation. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2012, vol.19, n.4, pp.189-196. ISSN 1134-8046.

Introduction: the term temporomandibular joint syndrome or Costen's syndrome refers to a disorder whose most common symptoms include: joint pain and clicking, difficulty opening the mouth, and temporomandibular joint discomfort. Basically, its diagnosis is clinical. The TMJ is supplied by the auriculotemporal nerve, a collateral branch of the mandibular nerve, V3 branch of the trigeminal nerve. Material and method: we report on a total of six female patients who were treated between 2008 and 2010, all of them with pain secondary to TMJ syndrome, unilateral in five cases and bilateral in one. All these patients had previously received maxillofacial surgery, as well as various drug therapies and rehabilitation, with no pain or mouth opening improvements. All patients were subjected to auriculotemporal nerve blocks using 2% lidocaine to determine analgesia extent and level prior to stimulation system implantation. In all cases an electrode was surgically implanted in the preauricular area of the involved temporomandibular joint. Both pain severity and general health status were assessed before treatment onset and after two weeks, at which time the trial period ended and a definitive stimulator was implanted. Results: all patients were females with a mean age of 32 years. All of them had continuous pain and great difficulty opening their mouths, and all were on drug therapy without adequate pain relief. All patients had their pain reduced by 84% at four weeks after electrode implantation.

Keywords : Temporo-pertaining to the jaw syndrome; Electrical peripheral stimulation; Auriculo-temporary nerve.

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