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Signs of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injured Patients Wearing Halo Braces: A Clinical Report

N Crum, MHS, PT, is Associate Director of Physical Therapy, Baltimore Shock Trauma and Montebello Rehabilitation Center, 2201 Argonne Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218. She was a graduate student, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Related Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, when this clinical report was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for her Master of Health Science in Physical Therapy degree.

This clinical report was completed in response to the observations of physical therapists at the spinal cord injury (SCI) center of Jackson Memorial Hospital (Miami, Fla) and at other SCI centers that halo-braced spinal cord injured patients may develop symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. This report describes the assessment of TMJ mobility and the occurrence of symptoms of TMJ dysfunction in four halo-braced subjects with SCI. The results of these assessments indicate that patients with SCI may have some limitations in mandibular mobility early on and may complain of some symptoms associated with TMJ dysfunction. Reasons for the possibility of TMJ dysfunction occurring in this population and the importance of this occurrence to physical therapists are discussed. The author proposes that physical therapists treating halo-braced spinal cord injured patients should be aware of symptoms indicating TMJ dysfunction and that assessment may be indicated. Additionally, ideas for further clinical research are suggested.

Key Words: Orthopedic fixation devices • Spinal cord dysfunction, quadriplegia • Spinal cord injuries • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

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