Evaluation of Cervical Dysfunctions in Temporomandibular Disorders

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate upper cervical segmental dysfunctions in female patients with chronic TMD with and without neck pain and to compare them with healthy subjects. Method: Patients admitted to our hospital with jaw pain were evaluated in this study, and a total of 152 patients and healthy subjects who met the inclusion criteria for the study were divided into 3 groups: TMD with neck pain (n = 94), TMD without neck pain (n = 28) and control (n = 30). Patients with myofascial pain (category I) or disc displacements (category II) were diagnosed based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) guidelines. Upper cervical segmental dysfunctions were identified using functional and pain provocation tests in patients with TMD and healthy subjects. Results: When patients with TMD were classified, there was a significant difference between TMD with neck pain (category I, 62.8%; category II, 37.2%) and TMD without neck pain (category I, 28.6%; category II, 71.4%) groups (p = 0.002). There was a statistically significant dysfunction [difference] in all upper cervical segments in favor of the TMD with neck pain group compared TMD without neck pain group and healthy control group (p < 0.05). 51.1% Occiput-C1, 81.9% C1-C2 and 53.2% C2-C3 segment dysfunction rates were detected in TMD with neck pain group. Conclusion: Upper cervical segmental dysfunction rate was higher in TMD group with neck pain than TMD without neck pain and healthy control group.