Trismus: Difference between revisions

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== Trismus ==
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
[[File:lockjawsymptoms.jpg|thumb|right|Symptoms of trismus, commonly known as lockjaw.]]
| name            = Trismus
 
| image          = [[File:lockjawsymptoms.jpg|250px]]
| caption        = Symptoms of trismus
| field          = [[Oral and maxillofacial surgery]], [[Dentistry]]
| synonyms        = Lockjaw
| symptoms        = Reduced ability to open the mouth
| complications  = [[Malnutrition]], [[dehydration]], [[aspiration pneumonia]]
| onset          = Sudden or gradual
| duration        = Varies
| causes          = [[Tetanus]], [[pericoronitis]], [[oral submucous fibrosis]], [[trauma]], [[infection]]
| risks          = [[Oral surgery]], [[radiation therapy]], [[head and neck cancer]]
| diagnosis      = [[Physical examination]], [[imaging studies]]
| differential    = [[Temporomandibular joint disorder]], [[mumps]], [[sialadenitis]]
| treatment      = [[Physical therapy]], [[medication]], [[surgery]]
| medication      = [[Muscle relaxants]], [[analgesics]], [[antibiotics]]
| frequency      = Common in certain conditions
}}
'''Trismus''', commonly referred to as '''lockjaw''', is a condition characterized by reduced ability to open the mouth due to muscle spasm, inflammation, or fibrosis. It is often associated with [[temporomandibular joint disorder]] (TMJ) and can be a symptom of various underlying conditions.
'''Trismus''', commonly referred to as '''lockjaw''', is a condition characterized by reduced ability to open the mouth due to muscle spasm, inflammation, or fibrosis. It is often associated with [[temporomandibular joint disorder]] (TMJ) and can be a symptom of various underlying conditions.
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Trismus can result from a variety of causes, including:
Trismus can result from a variety of causes, including:
* [[Infection]]: Such as [[tetanus]], which is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and leads to muscle stiffness.
* [[Infection]]: Such as [[tetanus]], which is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and leads to muscle stiffness.
* [[Trauma]]: Injury to the jaw or surrounding tissues can lead to muscle spasm and trismus.
* [[Trauma]]: Injury to the jaw or surrounding tissues can lead to muscle spasm and trismus.
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* [[Radiation therapy]]: Treatment for head and neck cancers can lead to fibrosis and trismus.
* [[Radiation therapy]]: Treatment for head and neck cancers can lead to fibrosis and trismus.
* [[Inflammation]]: Conditions such as [[pericoronitis]] or [[arthritis]] affecting the jaw joint.
* [[Inflammation]]: Conditions such as [[pericoronitis]] or [[arthritis]] affecting the jaw joint.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
The primary symptom of trismus is the inability to fully open the mouth. Other symptoms may include:
The primary symptom of trismus is the inability to fully open the mouth. Other symptoms may include:
* Pain in the jaw or surrounding areas
* Pain in the jaw or surrounding areas
* Difficulty speaking or eating
* Difficulty speaking or eating
* Muscle stiffness
* Muscle stiffness
* Headache
* Headache
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of trismus involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. Imaging studies such as [[X-ray]], [[CT scan]], or [[MRI]] may be used to assess the underlying cause. A dental examination may also be necessary to evaluate the condition of the teeth and jaw.
Diagnosis of trismus involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. Imaging studies such as [[X-ray]], [[CT scan]], or [[MRI]] may be used to assess the underlying cause. A dental examination may also be necessary to evaluate the condition of the teeth and jaw.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment of trismus depends on the underlying cause and may include:
Treatment of trismus depends on the underlying cause and may include:
* [[Physical therapy]]: Exercises to improve jaw mobility.
* [[Physical therapy]]: Exercises to improve jaw mobility.
* [[Medication]]: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory drugs.
* [[Medication]]: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory drugs.
* [[Surgery]]: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required to release the muscle spasm or correct structural issues.
* [[Surgery]]: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required to release the muscle spasm or correct structural issues.
* [[Botulinum toxin]] injections: To reduce muscle spasm.
* [[Botulinum toxin]] injections: To reduce muscle spasm.
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Preventive measures for trismus include:
Preventive measures for trismus include:
* Maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent infections.
* Maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent infections.
* Regular dental check-ups.
* Regular dental check-ups.
* Avoiding trauma to the jaw.
* Avoiding trauma to the jaw.
* Following post-operative care instructions after dental or surgical procedures.
* Following post-operative care instructions after dental or surgical procedures.
 
== See also ==
== Related pages ==
* [[Temporomandibular joint disorder]]
* [[Temporomandibular joint disorder]]
* [[Tetanus]]
* [[Tetanus]]
* [[Pericoronitis]]
* [[Pericoronitis]]
* [[Arthritis]]
* [[Arthritis]]
[[Category:Medical conditions]]
[[Category:Medical conditions]]
[[Category:Dental disorders]]
[[Category:Dental disorders]]

Latest revision as of 19:09, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Trismus
File:Lockjawsymptoms.jpg
Synonyms Lockjaw
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Reduced ability to open the mouth
Complications Malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia
Onset Sudden or gradual
Duration Varies
Types N/A
Causes Tetanus, pericoronitis, oral submucous fibrosis, trauma, infection
Risks Oral surgery, radiation therapy, head and neck cancer
Diagnosis Physical examination, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis Temporomandibular joint disorder, mumps, sialadenitis
Prevention N/A
Treatment Physical therapy, medication, surgery
Medication Muscle relaxants, analgesics, antibiotics
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common in certain conditions
Deaths N/A


Trismus, commonly referred to as lockjaw, is a condition characterized by reduced ability to open the mouth due to muscle spasm, inflammation, or fibrosis. It is often associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and can be a symptom of various underlying conditions.

Causes[edit]

Trismus can result from a variety of causes, including:

  • Infection: Such as tetanus, which is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and leads to muscle stiffness.
  • Trauma: Injury to the jaw or surrounding tissues can lead to muscle spasm and trismus.
  • Surgery: Post-surgical complications, especially after procedures involving the mouth, jaw, or throat.
  • Radiation therapy: Treatment for head and neck cancers can lead to fibrosis and trismus.
  • Inflammation: Conditions such as pericoronitis or arthritis affecting the jaw joint.

Symptoms[edit]

The primary symptom of trismus is the inability to fully open the mouth. Other symptoms may include:

  • Pain in the jaw or surrounding areas
  • Difficulty speaking or eating
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Headache

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of trismus involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. Imaging studies such as X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be used to assess the underlying cause. A dental examination may also be necessary to evaluate the condition of the teeth and jaw.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of trismus depends on the underlying cause and may include:

  • Physical therapy: Exercises to improve jaw mobility.
  • Medication: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Surgery: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required to release the muscle spasm or correct structural issues.
  • Botulinum toxin injections: To reduce muscle spasm.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures for trismus include:

  • Maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent infections.
  • Regular dental check-ups.
  • Avoiding trauma to the jaw.
  • Following post-operative care instructions after dental or surgical procedures.

See also[edit]