Frequent jaw-face pain in chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders

• Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD) present with frequent pain in the neck, head and shoulder regions but the presence of frequent jaw-face pain is unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of jaw-face pain in other regions, and general symptoms in chronic WAD patients. Fifty whiplash-patients  and 50 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were examined by qustionnaire for pain in the jaw-face, pain in other regions and other symptoms.In contrast to healthy, a majority of the WAD patients (88%) reported frequent pain in the jaw-face, in addition to frequent pain in the neck (100%), shoulders (94%), head (90%) and back (72%). The WAD patients also reported stiffness and numbness in the jaw-face region, and frequent general symptoms such as balance problems, stress and sleep disturbances.The result suggests that frequent pain in the jaw-face can be part of the spectrum of symptoms in chronic WAD. The finding of self-reported numbness in the jaw-face indicates disturbed trigeminal nerve function and merits further investigation. We conclude that assessment of WAD should include pain in the jaw-face region. A multidisciplinary rehabilitation program including dentists, preferably specialized in the area of orofacial pain, should be advocated after whiplash injury.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

face

jaw

neck

pain

whiplash injuries

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)