XEDAQ
In 2023, we started developing a bespoke resource for patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and christened it XEDAQ.
TMD (commonly erroneously referred to as TMJ) is an umbrella term that refers to issues patients may experience with facial pain as a result of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or associated muscles of mastication (chewing). Anything up to a third of the world's population may experience one or more of the symptoms of TMD which can include issues such as chronic facial pain, limitation of movement, difficulty eating or chewing and recurrent popping or locking of the jaw joint.
Patients will live with chronic pain and impairment of function, often seeking multiple different opinions and treatments from a wide range of healthcare practitioners and beyond. Many of these will have a questionable evidence base and can have the potential to do more harm than good. The scientific literature is a hotbed of debate and contention about the right treatment for an issue that is so prevalent and can have such a profound impact on quality of life.
There has always been a strong recognition that the starting point for most, if not all, TMD sufferers is "conservative management", often seen to comprise self-directed physiotherapy, ice, warm compresses, topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), avoiding excessively hard or chewy foods and resting the joint when able. These treatment are non-invasive, potentially harmless and can benefit the vast majority of patients.
But patients are often given this advice in a single consultation with no ongoing support, help, guidance or information. TMJ patients can easily feel dismissed and let down by their healthcare providers, particularly when at the milder end of the spectrum where surgery is not felt to be warranted. When one considers the strong association of chronic facial pain with depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions, and when coupled with the observation that developing a therapeutic relationship over time can be beneficial to patients, there is a clear void in the care being offered to TMJ patients.
At Elledge Informatics Limited, we are hoping to fill that void. We recognise that sustained support over time with advice, guidance, counselling, information and care will provide what's missing for many TMD sufferers.
The developer of this initiative, Mr Ross Elledge, has been working in this field clinically for a number of years and has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of patients with TMJ issues. Over this timeframe, he has developed an intuitive understanding of what matters to TMD sufferers, in particular the need for ongoing support and a "voice" when interacting with healthcare professionals at points in the journey. Above all, he recognises the power of information to patients with TMD, and the significant risks of misinformation.
