Temporomandibular disorders and neck disability in individuals with cervical disc herniation

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain in patients with cervical disc herniation. The secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between neck disability, neck pain, sociodemographic factors, TMD, and TMJ pain. The participants were divided based on their Neck Disability Index (NDI) score into those with no/mild (n = 26), or moderate/severe (n = 31) disability. The severity of TMD was assessed using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index, and TMJ pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale. Among participants with no/mild neck disability, 88.5% had TMD; in the moderate/severe group, all had TMD. Participants with moderate/severe neck disability demonstrated a higher level of TMD severity and TMJ pain than participants with no/mild disability. The NDI score and female gender were both associated with higher Fonseca Anamnestic Index scores, and these two factors explained 12.% of the variance. Furthermore, the NDI score, neck pain, and female gender were positively associated with higher TMJ pain, explaining 22.1.% of the variance. A high NDI score and female gender were associated with higher severity of TMD. Our study suggests that individuals with cervical disc herniation who present a high NDI score should also be assessed for TMD.