From the Research
Introduction to Jaw Claudication
Jaw claudication, or pain in the jaw muscles during chewing, is a symptom that can be associated with various underlying conditions.
Causes of Jaw Claudication
The causes of jaw claudication can be diverse, including:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ], a large vessel vasculitis that can lead to serious complications if left untreated
- Atherothrombotic external carotid artery occlusion [ 1 ], a condition where the external carotid artery becomes blocked, reducing blood flow to the jaw
- Temporomandibular joint disease [ 3 ], a condition that affects the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull
- Rheumatoid arthritis involving the temporomandibular joint [ 3 ], a condition where the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, including the temporomandibular joint
- Myasthenia gravis [ 3 ], a condition where the immune system attacks the nerve-muscle connection, leading to muscle weakness
- Parotid tumors [ 3 ], abnormal growths in the parotid gland, which can cause pain in the jaw
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of the underlying cause of jaw claudication is crucial to initiate appropriate treatment.
Giant Cell Arteritis
For GCA, treatment typically involves glucocorticoids, such as prednisone 60mg daily [ 5 ], with tapering regimens individualized to the patient [ 4 ].
Atherothrombotic External Carotid Artery Occlusion
For atherothrombotic external carotid artery occlusion, conservative therapy with cilostazol may be effective in alleviating symptoms [ 1 ].
Differential Diagnosis
It is essential to consider differential diagnoses, such as primary temporomandibular joint disorder, to avoid diagnostic confusion and delay in treatment [ 2 ].
Caveats
While the causes of jaw claudication can be diverse, prompt recognition and treatment of the underlying condition are crucial to avoid serious complications, such as vision loss in GCA [ 4 ].