الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin type A (Botox®) on treating patients suffering from persistent pain in the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) resulting from excessive movement of the jaw muscles after the failure of the patients’ response to common conservative treatments. Twenty patients were injected with Botulinum Toxin type A (Botox®) in the lateral pterygoid muscle. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups in which the Botox® was injected in Group A via an intraoral approach of the LPM and an extraoral approach of the LPM was performed in Group B. Prior to the injection patients were asked to assess the pain score and measurements of the maximum mouth opening was done using a caliber. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed to evaluate changes of the size and/or shape of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) and ensure that the muscle is free of any atrophy or hypertrophy. Finally the Electromyography (EMG) was used to evaluate the activities of the LPM. The needle was placed in the muscle and the patients were asked to move the lower jaw forward to evaluate the muscle at rest and during movement. 35 units of Botulinum Toxin type A (Botox®) were injected in the lateral pterygoid muscle. EMG was also used during injection to ensure that the Botox® was injected into the muscle. Observations were recorded 3 days, 15 days, one month and six months after injections. The following are the main results of the study: • 15 days after injection, the study revealed that injecting Botulinum Toxin type A (Botox®) in the lateral pterygoid muscle reduced pain caused by the movement of the LPM by 90% through temporary paralysis of the muscle, thus allowing the muscle to move more naturally. • Injecting Botulinum Toxin type A (Botox®) in the lateral pterygoid muscle increased the patient’s maximum mouth opening and reduced trismus in the muscle during rest. |