Temporomandibular joint pain following airbag deployment on the face: a case report

Varieties of injuries have been reported as a result of the deployment of the airbag/s following road traffic accidents. The purpose of this case-report is to present a physiotherapist's perspective of a patient who was diagnosed as having temporomandibular pain and dysfunction following the deployment of the airbag on the face and its implications for the dental profession. The patient was assessed using a modified Maitland assessment procedure to establish the diagnosis and the treatment consisted of Maitland mobilisation techniques, pulsed short wave diathermy and ultrasound as and when indicated directed to the upper cervical spine. The outcome of this case-report suggests that the temporomandibular symptoms presented by this patient were of cervical origin. Therefore, it is suggested that the cervical spine should be routinely examined in patients presenting with temporomandibular pain and dysfunction following trauma and early referral to physiotherapy may facilitate early recovery.