PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION IN CHRONIC PAINFUL POST-TRAUMATIC TRIGEMINAL NEUROPATHY: CASE REPORT (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Justification and goals: Painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTPT) is characterized by neuropathic pain of traumatic origin that affects one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve, and may develop spontaneous and evoked pain from a trigger zone of moderate to severe intensity, dysesthesia, hypersensitivity, allodynia, hyperalgesia and hyperpathy. The objective of this study was to carry out a protocol of physical therapy intervention in a patient affected by NTPT relating it to functionality and pain. Case report: Male patient, 27 years old, who underwent orthognathic surgery for mandibular correction, reported an abnormal pain in the mental region, which made him search for a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment, being later diagnosed as having chronic neuropathic pain. The combination of drugs such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants and topical anesthetics were the initial basis for pain control, however, with the permanence of pain and medication side effects, he underwent several types of treatment, but did not obtain significant results. Seeking from this, a specialized treatment of physiotherapy to help him in relation to the signs and symptoms presented in the orofacial region. After 10 months of rehabilitation, totaling 40 treatment sessions, the patient had his clinical conditions modified in terms of pain and motor function. Conclusion: The protocol proposed in this study proved to be effective and with good results in the treatment of PTPT, acting in the reestablishment of neuromuscular function, reduction in pain perception, drug stabilization and improvement in the patient's quality of life.