KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION

Background: Physical-therapy play a crucial role in conservative treatment of temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction. Where it shows various physical-therapy interventions and their implementations to reduce the jaw pain, improve jaw movements, decreases inflammation and restore jaw functional mobility. Temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a common condition that limits the mandibular joint movement such as opening and closing the jaw. Objective: The aim of this research is to assess the level of awareness regarding diagnosis and treatment of temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction among physical-therapist Methodology: Non-probability sampling techniques and cross-sectional method were both used in this research. This study lasted for six months and used a 169-person sample size determined by open Epi version 3. Data was collected from JSMU, JPMC, Dow ojha campus, PNS shifa, Patel hospital, Ziauddin hospital (north campus), NMC by using self-administered questionnaire to evaluate the knowledge and awareness about diagnosis and treatment of Temporomandibular joint dysfunction among the physical therapist. The data was figure out by SPSS 23.0 software. Results: According to the study physiotherapists working in Karachi hospitals have a good level of knowledge regarding basics of TMJ and its dysfunctions however there is a need to make more improvement in treatment approaches as mostly rely upon traditional methods. Conclusion: This research demonstrates that knowledge related to diagnosis and treatment of Temporomandibular joint dysfunction among the physical therapists.