[Methods of medical rehabilitation in the complex program therapy for patients with cervicobrachialgia caused by pathological dental occlusion].

UNLABELLED

Chronic pain syndromes in the neck and shoulder girdle are one of the important clinical problems due to their high prevalence. In addition, it's of great interest to study the mutual influence of the musculoskeletal system pathology, balance organs and dentoalveolar system due to the possible negative impact of these structures on each other which surely affects the treatment timing and its results.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a diagnostic algorithm and a comprehensive program for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with cervicobrachialgia combined with pathological dental occlusion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 90 persons of both genders aged 18 to 55 years consisted of 3 clinical study groups (25 patients) and one control group (15 healthy persons). The clinical groups included 75 patients with chronic myofascial pain syndrome in the neck and shoulder girdle resistant to drug therapy, with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and/or pathological dental occlusion (PDO). The groups were formed depending on the chosen treatment methods: manual therapy was used in the 1st group; in the 2nd group - dental treatment aimed at correcting PDO; in the 3rd group the manual therapy was used together with the correction of the jaws' occlusal relationship.

RESULTS

In the study course the most effective algorithm for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients with cervicobrachialgia caused by pathological dental occlusion was determined. Positive clinical results were noted in patients of all three groups; however, in the 3- group where manual therapy and complex dental treatment were carried out the results are not differing significantly from the controls. The study showed that in patients with myofascial pain syndrome at the cervical and shoulder levels caused by TMJ dysfunction and pathological dental occlusion it's advisable to include manual and osteopathic diagnostics in the algorithm. Manual muscle testing, posture tests in combination with 3D X-ray imaging and computerized functional studying the maxillofacial region should be used to identify etiology-pathogenesis links between these conditions. These methods are also applicable for quality control of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Thus, as a study result the diagnostic algorithm was developed; it allows to determine the relationship of pharmacoresistant pain syndrome of the cervicobrachial region with dental pathology at high degree of accuracy; and a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to the therapy and rehabilitation of this combined pathology was proposed.