TMJ Flashcards
1
Q
AROM of TMJ
A
- Mandibular Depression (35-55mm)
- Mandibular Elevation
- Mandibular Protrusion (>7mm)
- Mandibular Retrusion (3-4mm)
- Lateral deviation (10-15mm)
2
Q
The Knuckle Test
A
Purpose:
- To assess the opening ROM of the TMJ
- Patients require a certain amount of opening range to perform the normal activities of daily living such as chewing and talking
Procedure:
- Patient is sitting or standing
- The practitioner stands adjacent to the patient’s affected jaw
- The practitioner instructs the patient to try to place two flexed IP joints into their open mouth between their teeth
- The practitioner observes the patient’s ability to perform the procedure
Positive:
- An inability/difficulty to open the mouth to the desired range
- At least 25-35 mm of opening is required for normal daily activities
Indication of a positive:
- May indicate joint degeneration
- Hypertonic muscle of mastication
- Displaced TMJ disc
3
Q
Motion Palpation of TMJ
A
Posterior to joint space:
- Examiners index finger pads inside the patients external auditory meatus
Lateral to joint space:
- Examiners index finger pads overlying the mandibular condyles
4
Q
Auscaltation of TMJ
A
Purpose:
- To identify joint sounds that may indicate pathology of the TMJ
- This is test is usually performed in addition to palpation of the TMJ •
Procedure:
- Patient is sitting
- The practitioner stands adjacent to the patient’s affected jaw
- The practitioner places the bell of the stethoscope against the side of the patients jaw overlying the TMJ
- The practitioner instructs the patient to slowly move their jaw through the normal ranges of motion
- The practitioner listens for abnormal sounds and takes note of when they occur
Positive:
- Clicking, coarse crepitus, or fine crepitus during AROM
- The normal sound produced during occlusion is not a positive test •
Indication of a positive:
- Clicking noises are usually the result of disc derangement
- Grating or crepitus may indicate joint degeneration
