Assessments of Muscle Thickness and Tonicity of the Masseter and Sternocleidomastoid Muscles and Maximum Mouth Opening in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorder

Population Analysis of Masseter Muscle Tension Using Shear Wave Ultrasonography across Different Disease States

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and trends of masseter muscle tension in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, examining gender-specific differences and the impact of various TMJ disorders. Methods: From January 2020 to June 2024, a total of 734 patients presenting with facial pain radiating to the head and neck, localized around and extending from the TMJ, were referred for ultrasonographic examination. After applying exclusion criteria, 535 patients (72.9%) were included in the study. The patient cohort consisted of 343 females (64.1%) and 192 males (35.9%), with muscle tension measured using the Aixplorer ultrasound system equipped with a shear wave device. Data were collected and analyzed across different age groups and TMJ conditions, including "no changes", "exudate", "arthrosis", and "disc displacement". Results: The study found that males exhibited higher muscle tension across all conditions, particularly in the "no changes" (40.4 kPa vs. 32.1 kPa, 25.9% higher) and "exudate" (38.5 kPa vs. 29.7 kPa, 29.6% higher) categories, indicating increased muscle strain and inflammation during middle age. In females, a trend of decreasing muscle tension with age was observed, with a significant reduction from 36.2 kPa in the 20-30 age group to 24.3 kPa in the 60-70 age group (32.9% reduction), suggesting a reduction in muscle mass or strength due to aging. Both genders showed high muscle tension in the presence of exudate, with females peaking in the 40-50 age group at 37.1 kPa and males peaking earlier in the 20-30 age group at 41.2 kPa (10.9% higher in males), highlighting potential gender differences in inflammatory response. In the arthrosis group, males displayed a consistent increase in muscle tension with age, peaking at 37.5 kPa in the 50-60 age group (50.7% increase from the 20-30 age group), while females showed high tension, particularly in the 40-50 age group at 31.0 kPa (82.4% higher compared to the 20-30 age group), indicating the need for targeted joint health interventions in middle-aged women. Conclusions: This study reveals significant gender-specific differences in masseter muscle tension among patients with TMJ pain. Males were found to be more affected by muscle strain and inflammation during middle age, whereas females showed a significant decrease in muscle tension with age. The presence of exudate significantly impacted muscle tension across all age groups for both genders. These findings underscore the importance of tailored clinical interventions and preventive strategies to manage TMJ disorders effectively.

Clinical effectiveness of polynucleotide TMJ injection compared with physiotherapy: a 3-month randomised clinical trial

Joint visco-supplementation is an effective therapeutic approach against the degenerative signs and symptoms of osteoarthrosis/osteoarthritis of the mandibular condyle. Supplements of choice are usually delivered inside the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by intra-articular infiltration. The present study aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness of pericapsular injection of polinucleotides (PN) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Sixty patients suffering from TMJ osteoarthrosis were recruited and divided into two groups (test group: n = 30, pericapsular injection; control group: n = 30, self-delivered physiotherapeutic exercises). For each patient, maximum opening, right and left lateral excursion, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded at four different timepoints by a blinded investigator. Paired Student's t tests were used to compare consecutive measurements of the parameters evaluated within the groups, and unpaired Student's t tests were used for between-group comparisons. All investigated parameters displayed a progressive clinical improvement in both groups, which was more accentuated in the test group. The decrease in VAS score differed significantly between groups (p < 0.0001). Maximum opening showed a continuous increase from baseline (mean (SD) 37.70 (8.33) mm) to T3 (39.68 (7.64) mm), reflecting a progressive improvement, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.089 at T3 with respect to T0). PN HA pericapsular injection is a minimally invasive treatment that effectively reduces pain and improves mandibular kinematics.

Dynamic Quantitative Imaging of the Masseter Muscles in Bruxism Patients with Myofascial Pain: Could It Be an Objective Biomarker?

We aimed to investigate whether the collaboration of shear wave elastosonography (SWE) and B-mode ultrasonography (US) could be offered as diagnostic tools to assess the presence, severity, and progress of bruxism, as well as a biomarker for the effectiveness of treatment in daily clinical practice. The study was designed as a quantitative evaluation of the masseter muscles (MMs) of the clinically diagnosed bruxism patients suffering from myofascial pain and MMs of the healthy individuals. Clinical examinations were made according to the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD), and pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Painful MMs with VAS scores ≥ 4 were assigned to Group A, and healthy MMs were assigned to Group B. Also, the MMs of the painful bruxers were analyzed based on wearing occlusal splints. Group A was divided into two subgroups as splint users (Group AI) and non-users (Group AII). All the participants were scanned with dynamic US and SWE to quantify the size and stiffness of the MMs. Measurements of each muscle pair while the jaw is in a resting position (relaxation) and clenching position (contraction) were recorded. The significant differences in stiffness and thickness became visible in the relaxation state. Bruxism patients with myofascial pain had significantly harder and thinner MMs than healthy individuals. During the relaxation, the mean thickness and elasticity values were 9.17 ± 0.40 mm and 39.13 ± 4.52 kPa for Group A and 10.38 ± 0.27 and 27.73 ± 1.92 for Group B, respectively. Also, stiffer MMs were measured in Group AII (38.16 ± 3.61 kPa) than in Group AI (26.91 ± 2.13 kPa). In conclusion, the combination of SWE and US using a dynamic examination technique has the potential to be a valuable tool for the management of bruxism patients suffering from myofascial pain.

Assessing thickness and stiffness of superficial/deep masticatory muscles in orofacial pain: an ultrasound and shear wave elastography study

INTRODUCTION

Sonoelastography has been increasingly used for non-invasive evaluation of the mechanical features of human tissues. The interplay between orofacial pain and regional muscle activity appears clinically paramount, although only few imaging studies have investigated this association. Using shear wave sonoelastography (SWS), this study ascertained whether orofacial pain induced alterations in the stiffness of superficial and deep masticatory muscles.

METHODS

All participants were systematically evaluated for oral/facial-related conditions, including the area and intensity of pain. SWS was applied to measure the stiffness of the bilateral masseter, temporalis, and lateral pterygoid muscles. The association between orofacial pain and muscle stiffness/thickness was investigated using a generalized estimating equation for adjusting the influence of age, sex, laterality, and body mass index on muscle thickness/stiffness.

RESULTS

A total of 98 participants were included in the present study: 48 asymptomatic controls, 13 patients with unilateral pain, and 37 patients with bilateral orofacial pain. The reliability, quantified by the intraclass correlation coefficient for muscle stiffness measurement, ranged from 0.745 to 0.893. Orofacial pain at the individual muscle level was significantly associated with masseter muscle stiffness. A trend of increased stiffness (p = 0.06) was also observed in relation to the painful side of the temporalis muscle. No significant correlation was identified between the numeric rating scales for pain and stiffness measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

SWS provides reliable stiffness measurements for the superficial and deep masticatory muscles. The ipsilateral masseter and temporalis muscles might be stiffer than those on the side without orofacial pain. Future studies using the present sonoelasotography protocol can be designed to investigate the stiffness changes in the target muscles after interventions.

Relationship between self-reported pain, pain threshold, pain catastrophization and quality of life in patients with TMD

Background

The aim of this study was to verify if there is a relationship between self-reported pain, PPT (pressure pain threshold) of the masseter, temporal and sternocleidomastoid muscles, pain catastrophizing and quality of life in patients with TMD (temporomandibular disorder) of muscular origin.

Material and Methods

Ninety-seven patients with muscular TMD (TMD group) and 97 asymptomatic (control group) were included in the study. The evaluation methods used were: 1) Self-reported pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for questions 7, 8 and 9 of the RDC/TMD Axis I questionnaire; 2) The PPT assessment was performed using a digital algometer on the masseter, temporal, and sternocleidomastoid muscles (both sides); 3) Pain catastrophizing was assessed using the PCS (Pain Catastrophizing Scale); and 4) Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-14 (Oral Healthy Impact Profile-14). Data were submitted to Spearman correlation and logistic regression (p<0.05).

Results

There were significant positive correlations between self-reported pain (VAS-Q7, VAS-Q8 and VAS-Q9), pain catastrophizing (PCS-Helplessness, PCS-Magnification, PCS-Rumination and PCS-Total) and quality of life (OHIP-14) (p<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation of self-reported pain (VAS-Q8) with PPT of the temporal (left) and sternocleidomastoid (both sides) (p<0.05). The rumination and magnification domains increased the chance of high self-reported pain in all situations (VAS-Q7, VAS-Q8 and VAS-Q9) (p<0.05). The helplessness domain only increased the chance of high self-reported pain for VAS-Q8 (p<0.05). The presence of TMD of muscular origin, high self-reported pain (VAS-Q7) or pain catastrophizing increased the chance of a low quality of life in relation to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, the reduction in sternocleidomastoid PPT increased the chance of poor quality of life (p<0.05). Key words:Myofascial pain syndromes, pain catastrophizing, myalgia, quality of life, surveys and questionnaires, temporomandibular joint disorders.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Myogenous Temporomandibular Disorders: A Clinical Update

Myogenous temporomandibular disorders (M-TMDs) are the most common chronic orofacial pain, affecting the masticatory muscles and, thus, jaw movement. While a concise diagnosis is crucial to formulate a rational treatment plan, the similarities in clinical presentations that M-TMDs share with other neuromuscular disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) could easily confuse physicians. In addition to the basics, such as thorough history taking and meticulous clinical examinations, different imaging techniques are useful adjuncts to facilitate the diagnostic process. This review presents an overview of the current understanding on a variety of diagnostic and treatment modalities for M-TMD patients. It is essential to highlight that there is not a single treatment for all, and the benefits of multidisciplinary strategies have been noted for the effective management of myogenous TMD pain. Treatment modalities ranging from conservative to minimally invasive options are discussed in this review.

Gender-Related Biomechanical Properties of Masseter Muscle among Patients with Self-Assessment of Bruxism: A Comparative Study

It seems extremely important to know the biomechanical properties of the orofacial tissues among patients with increased activity of masticatory muscles, such as bruxism. The aim of this study was to evaluate biomechanical properties of the masseter muscle by using MyotonPRO in adults with probable bruxism and to define gender relations. This study was conducted in the Temporomandibular Disorders Department at Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland (June 2021-November 2021) among patients that reported bruxism symptoms The patients underwent a clinical examination, then the biomechanical properties of the masseter muscles were assessed. The MyotonPro measured masseter tone, stiffness and elasticity in 36 patients with a self-assessment of bruxism (18 women and 18 men). Data were collected from relaxed and contracted muscles. In relaxed masseter muscles there were no statistically significant differences between the sexes in muscle tone, stiffness and elasticity. During contraction significant differences were found between the sexes in the tension and the stiffness of the masseter muscles. Moreover, women often experienced headaches in the temporal region and pain in the masseter muscles during palpation. Among patients with a self-assessment of bruxism, accompanying pain was significantly more frequent in women. Male gender was associated with increased muscle tension and stiffness of the contracted masseter muscle.