Effects of Trismus Evaluation of Trismus Treatment of Trismus
Trismus is a term used to describe limited mouth opening. There are a number of causes for this condition, such as trauma, surgery, and stroke, but most often it is induced by radiation. Radiation damages normal cells. Trismus occurs when the body attempts to repair the damage.
Unless the jaw is exercised, mouth opening can become more limited. The effects of limited mouth opening include:
Pain, inflammation, and degenerative joint changes are secondary effects of trismus. Early intervention is essential to minimize the effects of trismus and a thorough evaluation is crucial to any treatment plan.
Evaluation includes a thorough case history, a comprehensive oral mechanism examination, a clinical evaluation of swallowing, and a careful assessment of pain. Results of the evaluation are reviewed with the patient and treatment objectives are discussed.
Manual mobilization can have some positive effect on mouth opening, however, passive motion has been demonstrated to be more effective and can be achieved using a commercially available device. This device gradually increases mouth opening at a rate that is dependent on the patient's tolerance. The patient is trained how to use the device and an independent home program is prescribed. Progress is monitored and a maintenance program is established when goals have been achieved.