Jaw Region Pain / Intermittent Jaw Locking

Case Description: The patient is 21 y/o female with a ~5 year history of progressive “popping” of her jaw.  She was also experiencing increased temporal headache symptoms. She had never any formal care for her jaw.  

Intervention: The patient was seen for 10 physical therapy visits over 6 wks

	Opening	Treatment / Function
Initial Evaluation (IE)	20 mm at onset of pain(R sided painful “popping”)	Diet modification, light self-massage, lateral gentle excursion stretching. “Locking” occurring multiple times each day.
Discharge (6 wks after IE)	40+ mm without pain (no “popping”)	Education in an advanced home program to maintain results.  No instances of “locking” over a 2 wk period

Summary: Her presentation was consistent with anterior disc displacement with reduction with intermittent locking.  After ~6 weeks of conservative care, she achieved functional opening and had returned to her normal diet.  Physical therapy can be an excellent conservative option to improve quality of life related to jaw dysfunction.  

Patient Comments at Discharge: “I am able to eat and do everyday activities like brushing teeth, flossing, etc., normally and without pain or locking.  My headaches have also been reduced…Very nice staff (at Full Potential). Easy scheduling and good communication. Welcoming to patients. Really good at listening to concerns and giving detailed explanations.”

Luke Vander Zouwen, DPT
Full Potential Physical Therapy