Dolor craneofacial, craneomandibular y craneocervicaldiseño de caso único

Abstract

Introduction: In the last few years, health professionals have shown increasing interest in topics related to craniofacial, craniocervical and/or craniomandibular pain and dysfunction. The interrelations among craniomandibular, craniofacial and cervical column pain and dysfunction, and the stomatognathic system are well-known. Clarification of these interrelations could aid clinical improvement of patients with this type of disease. Method: We performed a study with a single case design. Eighteen measures were analyzed. Mouth opening (vertical range) and mandibular lateral movement to the right and to the left were evaluated. Cervical flexion, extension, side bending and rotation were also evaluated. The patient¿s satisfaction with mouth movements, the presence or absence of pain, and pain severity were assessed. Results: Data analysis revealed a tendency for mobility to improve and for pain to be reduced with treatment and for these improvements to be maintained when treatment was discontinued (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach and identification of the factors predisposing to, or associated with, any type of pathology, pain or dysfunction could be useful in the treatment of these patients and in managing the complications that may arise during treatment.