MPDS is a pain disorder unilateral in nature and referred from the trigger points in myofascial structures, to the muscles of the head and neck. Pain is constant, dull in nature, in contrast to the sudden sharp, shooting, intermittent pain of neuralgias (chronic pain). But the pain may range from mild to intolerable. 

Clinical Characteristics 

Trigger points exist as a localized tender areas within skeletal muscles and when stimulated by episodes, they refer a characteristic pain pattern to a distant group of muscles, i.e. zone of reference 

Psychologically due to stress temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can get triggered. Any unusual habits can lead to muscular disturbance and occlusal disharmony leading to pain.   

Psychological Symptoms includes 

• Frustration 
• Anxiety 
• Pain 
• Depression 
• Poor sleep 
• Poor dietary habits 
• Anger 
• Clenching bruxism 
• Fear 
• Medication dependencies 

After thorough history for diagnosing MPDS, physical examination needs to be carried out. Evaluation of entire masticatory system along with head and neck region should be carried out. Amount of oral opening, extent of movement, muscle tenderness should be checked in MPDS. Click sound or crepitation should be evaluated at the TMJ. Simultaneous palpation of both the joints, with index finger laterally over the joint and through the external auditory canal in open and closed movements is done. The areas responsive to palpation have been called ‘trigger points’. The muscles are palpated bilaterally and simultaneously with firm but gentle pressure lasting for 1 or 2 minutes. 

Muscle palpation is helpful for the following - 

• Location of muscle pathology 
• Evaluation of muscle tone 
• Location of trigger points 
• Evaluation of temperature change 
• Location of swelling 
• Identification of anatomic landmarks 

Several contributing factors for MPDS includes –  

• Muscular hyperfunction 
• Physical disorders 
• Injuries to the tissues 
• Parafunctional habits 
• Disuse 
• Nutritional problems 
• Physiological stress 
• Sleep disturbances 

Cardinal symptoms of MPDS 

• Pain or discomfort, anywhere around the head or neck. 
• Limitation of motion of the jaw 
• Joint noises—grating, clicking, snapping, etc 
• Tenderness to palpation of the muscles of mastication 
• Negative recent history of trauma, infection, ear or joint or maxillary sinus pathosis

The use of radiographs should be done judiciously in MPDS patients 

• Panoramic radiography 
• Recent diagnostic methods i.e. TMJ arthrography, Computed radiography (CR), CT scan and MRI, Bone scintigram—nuclear imaging  

Treatment of MPDS 

Counselling of the patient and giving the assurance regarding prognosis and planning for symptomatic pain relief. Modification of diet and home exercises should be done. Initially soft diet should be prescribed along with the medication such as Aspirin, Piroxicam, Ibuprofen, Pentazocine. Muscle relaxants are used too. Heat application, cryotherapy, massage with counterirritants and vibrators, Transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulator (TENS) and stretch exercises are used as well. Stress management should be explained to patient. Intra articular injections are used for the treatment of MPDS and also occlusal splints are customized for patients as well.  

 Article by Dr. Siri P.B.