Trismus
Trismus (mandibular hypomobility) is a condition that refers to a restriction in mouth opening or jaw mobility.
Trismus can be caused by:
- Radiation therapy to the head and neck
- Surgery involving the head and neck
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)
- Infections
- Systemic diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma
- Direct trauma to the head and neck
- Indirect trauma, e.g. whiplash
- Facial burns
- Stress-induced disorders, e.g. clenching and grinding of the teeth (bruxism)
- Congenital (at birth) or hereditary diseases
- Aging
Symptoms and treatment
Trismus is a severe, yet frequently overlooked, disability. Patients often suffer chronic pain and have difficulty with day-to-day functions, such as biting, swallowing, chewing, oral hygiene, and speech.
Atos Medical AB manufactures the TheraBite® Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System™. It is a portable system specifically designed to treat trismus and mandibular hypomobility.