Physiotherapy for pain, jaw mobility, and oral health-related quality of life in patient with trismus following radiation therapy for jaw cancer: A case report

Abstract

Trismus is a painful condition that restricts the temporomandibular joint range of motion (ROM) causing difficulty in eating, chewing, speaking, etc., affecting the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL). It often presents as a complication during pre-malignancy stage or after oral cancer treatment. Its prevalence is between 28% and 79%, and it is 8 times more common in edentulous patients. The 57-year-old male complained of continuous tongue and jaw pain with difficulty in chewing, eating, and speaking 1 year before and gradually developed small ulcers over the right jaw. After complete investigation, the patient was diagnosed with jaw cancer and underwent radiotherapy for 2 months. This patient came with complaints of pain, difficulty in mouth opening to physiotherapy department, 3 months following radiotherapy, diagnosed as a case of trismus. A comprehensive physiotherapy protocol including LASER, mobilization, Myofascial release, active exercises for the period of 4 weeks was given. Outcomes for pain, jaw mobility, and OHRQOL were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks. Four weeks of comprehensive physiotherapy protocol was found effective in reducing pain and improving jaw mobility and OHRQOL in patients with trismus following radiation therapy.