TMJ Injury Occurs In Whiplash From Car Accidents in Texarkana and May Not Immediately Show Up according to an article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.

TMJ pain is often felt around the ear and jaw.

It often causes pain and difficulties opening the jaw.

TMJ pain can be caused from a variety of problems related to muscle, ligament, joint cartilage, and neuro-muscular control.

TMJ problems are fairly common, but much more common following a neck injury from a car crash.

Researchers followed people that had neck injuries from a rear end motor vehicle accident with an initial evaluation and a follow up evaluation after a year. 

The injured individuals reported TMJ pain as their main complaint 5% of the time in the initial evaluation.

This was almost quadrupled (to 19%) at the year follow up. This rate of TMJ as a primary complaint was 5 X the control group (not in a motor vehicle accident).

Interestingly the increase was seen in female patients.

This appears to be due to women’s smaller neck and supporting musculature relative to same size/weight head relative to men.

Researchers found TMJ problems in 1 out of 3 at a year follow up after being involved in an accident which injured their neck.

It’s important that injured people are fully evaluated after a car accident. This includes evaluating the jaw for potential injury.

Not all medical doctors and chiropractors are aware of this common injury in whiplash.

TMJ injuries can often be treated effectively with chiropractic care following the same principles as treating other injured joints. At times, co-management with a dentist or referral out to a dentist that works with TMJ problems is necessary.

If you have been involved in an accident in the Texarkana area and are experiencing any problems / injuries contact us, we’re here to help!

 

Delayed temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction induced by whiplash trauma: a controlled prospective study
Journal of the American Dental Association. August 2007;138(8):pp. 1084-91

Summary of article posted here:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070816153527.htm