James R. Fricton

Myofascial pain syndrome of the head and neck: a review of clinical characteristics of 164 patients

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common but misunderstood muscular pain disorder involving pain referred from small, tender trigger points within myofascial structures in or distant from the area of pain. Misdiagnosis or inadequate management of this disorder after onset may lead to development of a complex chronic pain syndrome. A review of the clinical characteristics of 164 patients whose chief complaints led to the diagnosis of MPS revealed that these patients had (1) tenderness at points in firm bands of skeletal muscle that were consistent with past reports, (2) specific patterns of pain referral associated with each trigger point, (3) frequent emotional, postural, and behavioral contributing factors, and (4) frequent associated symptoms and concomitant diagnoses.

Reliability of a Craniomandibular Index

The Craniomandibular Index (CMI) was developed to provide a standardized measure of severity of problems in mandibular movement, TMJ noise, and muscle and joint tenderness for use in epidemiological and clinical outcome studies. The instrument was designed to have clearly defined objective criteria, simple clinical methods, and ease in scoring; it is divided into the Dysfunction Index and the Palpation Index. Inter-rater reliability (three raters) and intra-rater reliability (19 patients examined twice by one rater) were tested to determine whether the instrument has operational definitions sufficiently precise to allow for consistency in use between different raters and with one rater over time. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for inter-rater reliability was 0.84 for the Dysfunction Index, 0.87 for the Palpation Index, and 0.95 for the CMI. Correlation for intra-rater reliability was 0.92 for the Dysfunction Index, 0.86 for the Palpation Index, and 0.96 for the CMI. These results support the reliability of the CMI for use in epidemiological and clinical studies. Users are cautioned about the subjectivity of numerous items within the CMI and the strict methodological guidelines that must be followed in order to assure accuracy and reproducibility of results.

The craniomandibular index: Validity

The CMI appears to be valid for use in clinical studies, but users must be aware of its numerous potential errors and its associated strict methodologic guidelines to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of results. The subjective nature of some items demands that the same rater who is unaware of the management status of the patient perform both evaluations. If multiple raters are used, it is recommended that the raters discuss all items, and compare scoring of demonstration subjects before the study and use a pressure algometer for muscle palpation.

The effect of catastrophizing and depression on chronic pain – a prospective cohort study of temporomandibular muscle and joint pain disorders

Summary Catastrophizing and depression are shown to contribute to the progression of temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders. Abstract Although most cases of temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (TMJD) are mild and self‐limiting, about 10% of TMJD patients develop severe disorders associated with chronic pain and disability. It has been suggested that depression and catastrophizing contributes to TMJD chronicity. This article assesses the effects of catastrophizing and depression on clinically significant TMJD pain (Graded Chronic Pain Scale [GCPS] II–IV). Four hundred eighty participants, recruited from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area through media advertisements and local dentists, received examinations and completed the GCPS at baseline and at 18‐month follow‐up. In a multivariable analysis including gender, age, and worst pain intensity, baseline catastrophizing (&bgr; 3.79, P < 0.0001) and pain intensity at baseline (&bgr; 0.39, P < 0.0001) were positively associated with characteristic of pain intensity at the 18th month. Disability at the 18‐month follow‐up was positively related to catastrophizing (&bgr; 0.38, P < 0.0001) and depression (&bgr; 0.17, P = 0.02). In addition, in the multivariable analysis adjusted by the same covariates previously described, the onset of clinically significant pain (GCPS II–IV) at the 18‐month follow‐up was associated with catastrophizing (odds ratio [OR] 1.72, P = 0.02). Progression of clinically significant pain was related to catastrophizing (OR 2.16, P < 0.0001) and widespread pain at baseline (OR 1.78, P = 0.048). Results indicate that catastrophizing and depression contribute to the progression of chronic TMJD pain and disability, and therefore should be considered as important factors when evaluating and developing treatment plans for patients with TMJD.

Randomized Effectiveness Study of Four Therapeutic Strategies for TMJ Closed Lock

For individuals with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement without reduction with limited mouth opening (closed lock), interventions vary from minimal treatment to surgery. In a single-blind trial, 106 individuals with TMJ closed lock were randomized among medical management, rehabilitation, arthroscopic surgery with post-operative rehabilitation, or arthroplasty with post-operative rehabilitation. Evaluations at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 60 months used the Craniomandibular Index (CMI) and Symptom Severity Index (SSI) for jaw function and TMJ pain respectively. Using an intention-to-treat analysis, we observed no between-group difference at any follow-up for CMI (p ≥ 0.33) or SSI (p ≥ 0.08). Both outcomes showed within-group improvement (p < 0.0001) for all groups. The findings of this study suggest that primary treatment for individuals with TMJ closed lock should consist of medical management or rehabilitation. The use of this approach will avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.

Burning mouth syndrome: Critical review and proposed clinical management

Burning mouth syndrome is characterized by a burning sensation in one or several oral structures. Multiple causal factors have been proposed, and reports on their relative importance are conflicting. Lack of diagnostic criteria, differences in sampling procedures, incomplete workups, and lack of controlled studies make the reliable interpretation of the importance of proposed causal factors and the efficacy of specific treatment modalities difficult. This article summarizes the available data, critically analyzes their scientific merit, and proposes a protocol for clinical management.

Using Teledentistry to Improve Access to Dental Care for the Underserved

Teledentistry is an exciting new area of dentistry that fuses electronic health records, telecommunications technology, digital imaging, and the Internet to link health providers in rural or remote communities. For the patient located in underserved or remote areas, teledentistry improves ready access to preventive dental care and teleconsultation with specialists. It allows the dentist in the nearby community to provide easier access to preventive care to a patient who, otherwise, probably will not seek care. It enables the specialist located many miles away to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment options and/or referral.

Clinical vs. Arthrographic Diagnosis of TMJ Internal Derangement

Internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have gained increased recognition as a potential source of pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of clinicians in predicting an arthrographic diagnosis of articular disc position in a typical patient population presenting for TMJ arthrographic evaluation. Two clinicians utilized a brief history, clinical examination (including evaluation of mandibular movement and TMJ auscultation), and tomographic TMJ imaging in evaluating 60 patients. The radiologist subsequently performed the arthrographic procedures on 102 TMJs (18 unilateral and 42 bilateral). Diagnostic agreement was determined for all possible diagnostic categories including: normal disc position, TMJ internal derangement with reduction, TMJ internal derangement without reduction/acute, TMJ internal derangement without reductionlchronic, and osteoarthrosis. The significance of the diagnostic agreement between the clinicians and arthrography was evaluated with a Kappa Statistical Test, which showed good reliability. For epidemiological studies, it was concluded that clinical and tomographic evaluation would provide sufficient reliability for determination of the presence and stage of TMJ internal derangement. However, in a specific clinical situation, a difficult diagnostic problem may require the use of arthrography, depending on the impact of the diagnosis on subsequent treatment decisions.

The Effect of Fibromyalgia and Widespread Pain on the Clinically Significant Temporomandibular Muscle and Joint Pain Disorders—A Prospective 18-Month Cohort Study

UNLABELLED Although most cases of temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (TMJD) are mild and self-limiting, about 10% of TMJD patients develop severe disorders associated with chronic pain and disability. It has been suggested that fibromyalgia and widespread pain play a significant role in TMJD chronicity. This paper assessed the effects of fibromyalgia and widespread pain on clinically significant TMJD pain (GCPS II-IV). Four hundred eighty-five participants recruited from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area through media advertisements and local dentists received examinations and completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) at baseline and at 18 months. Baseline widespread pain (OR: 2.53, P = .04) and depression (OR: 5.30, P = .005) were associated with onset of clinically significant pain (GCPS II-IV) within 18 months after baseline. The risk associated with baseline fibromyalgia was moderate, but not significant (OR: 2.74, P = .09). Persistence of clinically significant pain was related to fibromyalgia (OR: 2.48, P = .02) and depression (OR: 2.48, P = .02). These results indicate that these centrally generated pain conditions play a role in the onset and persistence of clinically significant TMJD. PERSPECTIVE Fibromyalgia and widespread pain should receive important consideration when evaluating and developing a treatment plan for patients with TMJD.

Diagnostic criteria for headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders

Aims: We assessed and compared the diagnostic accuracy of two sets of diagnostic criteria for headache secondary to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods: In 373 headache subjects with TMD, a TMD headache reference standard was defined as: self-reported temple headache, consensus diagnosis of painful TMD and replication of the temple headache using TMD-based provocation tests. Revised diagnostic criteria for Headache attributed to TMD were selected using the RPART (recursive partitioning and regression trees) procedure, and refined in half of the data set. Using the remaining half of the data, the diagnostic accuracy of the revised criteria was compared to that of the International Headache Society’s International Classification of Headache Diseases (ICHD)-II criteria A to C for Headache or facial pain attributed to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Results: Relative to the TMD headache reference standard, ICHD-II criteria showed sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 33%. The revised criteria for Headache attributed to TMD had sensitivity of 89% with improved specificity of 87% (p < 0.001). These criteria are (1) temple area headache that is changed with jaw movement, function or parafunction and (2) provocation of that headache by temporalis muscle palpation or jaw movement. Conclusion: Having significantly better specificity than the ICHD-II criteria A to C, the revised criteria are recommended to diagnose headache secondary to TMD.