gator1301
07-13-2001, 10:12 AM
I am a 16 year old planning to have TMJ arthroscopy done in about 1 week. At this time my jaw is locked and the disk is displaced anteriorly. My oral surgeon is not sure if the disk is torn or not. He is going to start with arthroscopy to reposition the disk, but if it is unrepairable, he will have to do the open surgery to remove it.
For those with experience with this surgery, can you please give me an idea what to expect post-op. It's an outpatient procedure, and I'm supposed to leave the hospital 2-3 hours after the procedure. How much pain can I expect for both of these procedures? What about swelling and bruising. How long will I be on pain meds? Is physical therapy hard afterwards?
Thanks
Crystal
For those with experience with this surgery, can you please give me an idea what to expect post-op. It's an outpatient procedure, and I'm supposed to leave the hospital 2-3 hours after the procedure. How much pain can I expect for both of these procedures? What about swelling and bruising. How long will I be on pain meds? Is physical therapy hard afterwards?
Thanks
Crystal
Sponsor
Allen
07-14-2001, 05:55 PM
Hey Gator: back in '98 I had arthroscopic surgery on my rt jaw joint. Aside from the removal of a few adhesions, it was not too helpful, since(as it turned out)my problems were with the muscles(myalgia)and not the jaw joint. Post-op was not difficult, but I wonder: did you get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion? Only in a small per centage of cases will surgery help and often it has made matters much worse. God bless, Al
gator1301
07-14-2001, 09:05 PM
Yes Al, this is my 3rd opinion. The latest doctor was highly recommended to us and is in Birmingham. He is very experienced, doing 20-25 arthroscopic procedures a week. He told me that surgery is a must at this point. I have failed to respond to arthrocentesis, splint therapy, anti-inflammatories, heat therapy, and physical therapy. My problem is purely disk related and not at all a muscle problem. I can only open to 20 mm, and if the problem is left the way it is the joint will be ripped apart.
Crystal
Crystal
Carey
07-14-2001, 10:01 PM
Hi Crystal,
I am just about in the exact same position as you. I am 21 and have had tmj for over 2 years. i have been locked shut for the past 3 months (with an opening of one centimetre)after an arthrocentesis made it worse. I too have failed all conservative treatments and it is looking like surgery for me also at this point. I have been to 3 oral surgeons for their opinions and they recommend to remove the disc totally because just repairing it is just about guaranteed to fail, requiring more surgeries.
I haven't decided to go ahead with surgery yet because of the risks involved, such as degeneration of the joint in the future, etc.
Sorry if this sounds so dreary, but i don't want you to rush into surgery and regret it in the long run.
keep smiling,
Carey
[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 08-06-2002).]
I am just about in the exact same position as you. I am 21 and have had tmj for over 2 years. i have been locked shut for the past 3 months (with an opening of one centimetre)after an arthrocentesis made it worse. I too have failed all conservative treatments and it is looking like surgery for me also at this point. I have been to 3 oral surgeons for their opinions and they recommend to remove the disc totally because just repairing it is just about guaranteed to fail, requiring more surgeries.
I haven't decided to go ahead with surgery yet because of the risks involved, such as degeneration of the joint in the future, etc.
Sorry if this sounds so dreary, but i don't want you to rush into surgery and regret it in the long run.
keep smiling,
Carey
[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 08-06-2002).]
gator1301
07-15-2001, 10:55 AM
Carey,
Unfortunately, I don't have a choice of whether or not to do this surgery. The oral surgeon said that if I don't do it, my joint will continue to worsen. I can no longer tolerate the pain.
As for the risk factors, my doctor reassured me that the odds are slim for nerve damage. In his career he has done 2900 of the arthroscopic and open procedures. Of all of those he has only had 7 temporary nerve paralysis. He has yet to see a permanent nerve paralysis.
My surgery is scheduled for a week from tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the relief.
Crystal
Unfortunately, I don't have a choice of whether or not to do this surgery. The oral surgeon said that if I don't do it, my joint will continue to worsen. I can no longer tolerate the pain.
As for the risk factors, my doctor reassured me that the odds are slim for nerve damage. In his career he has done 2900 of the arthroscopic and open procedures. Of all of those he has only had 7 temporary nerve paralysis. He has yet to see a permanent nerve paralysis.
My surgery is scheduled for a week from tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the relief.
Crystal
MissiM
07-20-2001, 02:13 PM
WARNING! To all who are looking at surgery!
I have had TMJD for several years: worsened by a car accident in 1998. All the oral surgeons recommended surgery to help with this. I went to a chiropractor who specialized in TMJD and he explained several things to me especially that there is NO CURE! NO Surgery in the world will help. You may feel better for awhile but WHAM! Worse than before. I see a TMJD specialist who cautioned the same. Some oral surgeons who treat TMJD are not TMJD specialists. Please Please Please rethink surgery! And don't ever let them sand down your teeth.I have heard nothing positive about any surgery that has been performed. I have bilateral anterior disc displacement with no recapture with degeneration on the right and left side. An MRI showed exactly where my discs were and they were not even close to the joints. The MRI was painful but worth it.
I caution you there is NO treatment for TMJD sufferers but there is alot of things you can do yourself. Message therapy, Relaxtion therapy, yoga, advil! Please seek 2,3,4 opinions from TMJD specialists not oral surgeons!!!!!!
Best of luck
I have had TMJD for several years: worsened by a car accident in 1998. All the oral surgeons recommended surgery to help with this. I went to a chiropractor who specialized in TMJD and he explained several things to me especially that there is NO CURE! NO Surgery in the world will help. You may feel better for awhile but WHAM! Worse than before. I see a TMJD specialist who cautioned the same. Some oral surgeons who treat TMJD are not TMJD specialists. Please Please Please rethink surgery! And don't ever let them sand down your teeth.I have heard nothing positive about any surgery that has been performed. I have bilateral anterior disc displacement with no recapture with degeneration on the right and left side. An MRI showed exactly where my discs were and they were not even close to the joints. The MRI was painful but worth it.
I caution you there is NO treatment for TMJD sufferers but there is alot of things you can do yourself. Message therapy, Relaxtion therapy, yoga, advil! Please seek 2,3,4 opinions from TMJD specialists not oral surgeons!!!!!!
Best of luck
Marlene
07-20-2001, 09:10 PM
MissiM,
I agree with you that some dentists/oral surgeons who treat TMJ are not TMJ specialists. They can say they treat TMJ, but unless they have the credentials to back it up...
As your chiropractor said, there is no "cure" per say for TMJ, but there ARE many many treatment modalities that can improve functionality of the TM joints to the point that symptoms are minimal if not completely gone. As with any condition, the success of treatment can depend on so many things - cause, severity, how early the condition is diagnosed, etc.
I also had bilateral anterior disc displacement. Both discs were recaptured with splint therapy, and I have almost 100% function in the TM joints now.
I agree with you that some dentists/oral surgeons who treat TMJ are not TMJ specialists. They can say they treat TMJ, but unless they have the credentials to back it up...
As your chiropractor said, there is no "cure" per say for TMJ, but there ARE many many treatment modalities that can improve functionality of the TM joints to the point that symptoms are minimal if not completely gone. As with any condition, the success of treatment can depend on so many things - cause, severity, how early the condition is diagnosed, etc.
I also had bilateral anterior disc displacement. Both discs were recaptured with splint therapy, and I have almost 100% function in the TM joints now.
Carey
07-27-2001, 01:26 PM
Crystal,
I don't know if you went ahead with the surgery, but do let me know how you went. I hope you are well and not in too much pain.
It looks like i will be going ahed with surgery also, not to reposition the disc but to remove it totally. I went and saw my surgeon today, and am getting a further opinion from another (my 4th one so far)trying to locate the best surgeon and as much info as i possibly can.
I don't think i can function any longer with the pain i'm experiencing. my mouth opening is gradually decreasing, now it stands at 4 millimetres, my facial spasms are worsening as are my headaches, neck and shoulder pain. every day i'm on valium for the spasms, and strong analgesia for the pain. I am so sedated that trying to carry out daily tasks is extremely difficult. I eat nothing but liquid, and whenever that hits my stomach I feel like vomiting.
There has to be an end to this sufferring. well not neccessarily an end, I'm probably kidding myself if i say that(we all know what tmj is like!), but at least a decrese in pain of some kind, even if it is small any relief at this stage would be a blessing!
[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 08-06-2002).]
I don't know if you went ahead with the surgery, but do let me know how you went. I hope you are well and not in too much pain.
It looks like i will be going ahed with surgery also, not to reposition the disc but to remove it totally. I went and saw my surgeon today, and am getting a further opinion from another (my 4th one so far)trying to locate the best surgeon and as much info as i possibly can.
I don't think i can function any longer with the pain i'm experiencing. my mouth opening is gradually decreasing, now it stands at 4 millimetres, my facial spasms are worsening as are my headaches, neck and shoulder pain. every day i'm on valium for the spasms, and strong analgesia for the pain. I am so sedated that trying to carry out daily tasks is extremely difficult. I eat nothing but liquid, and whenever that hits my stomach I feel like vomiting.
There has to be an end to this sufferring. well not neccessarily an end, I'm probably kidding myself if i say that(we all know what tmj is like!), but at least a decrese in pain of some kind, even if it is small any relief at this stage would be a blessing!
[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 08-06-2002).]
MissiM
07-27-2001, 03:39 PM
Marlene, I am so glad that you are feeling better and have almost full mobility in your jaw-That's great News. I know sometimes I sound harsh about surgery, but I was just reading all these horror stories about these people who go in for just a "minor" procedure for TMJD and they come out worse. I guess I am afraid for TMJD sufferers-We suffer enough without any screw ups from the DOCS. I know that ever case is different and recommendation are done on a case by case basis and though I am afraid for the ones going under surgery, we can only pray that it does work for them.
I just wanted to appologize for my reaction I think it was a bit harsh. I know what it is like being confused and not knowing where to go for help. I think this is a great support group. If anyone does have the surgery please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.
God Bless!
I just wanted to appologize for my reaction I think it was a bit harsh. I know what it is like being confused and not knowing where to go for help. I think this is a great support group. If anyone does have the surgery please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.
God Bless!
Marlene
07-27-2001, 09:14 PM
MissiM,
No need to apologize! That's what this group is all about - exchanging ideas, experiences, information, etc. I agree that surgery to "fix" TMJ should only be considered as a last resort. I can also see how some TMJ sufferers may consider surgery, in the hopes of finally getting some relief. Personally, I wouldn't have surgery unless I had completely exhausted all other forms of conservative treatments available to me.
Take care,
Marlene
No need to apologize! That's what this group is all about - exchanging ideas, experiences, information, etc. I agree that surgery to "fix" TMJ should only be considered as a last resort. I can also see how some TMJ sufferers may consider surgery, in the hopes of finally getting some relief. Personally, I wouldn't have surgery unless I had completely exhausted all other forms of conservative treatments available to me.
Take care,
Marlene
Cymy Sue
04-08-2003, 07:21 AM
bump
ElizabethMc
05-11-2007, 03:05 AM
I AM IN EXACTLY THE SAME POSITION!
I am turning 18 in two weeks and I have suffered from severe tmj symptoms for about a year. I've seen at least 3 experts, and I have been referred to Dr. Kahn in Birmingham. Is this who you are seeing? Maybe you're seeing one of his partners. Let me know how it went!
Okay, so I just noticed these posts are kinda old. Oops... I hope someone reads this...
I am turning 18 in two weeks and I have suffered from severe tmj symptoms for about a year. I've seen at least 3 experts, and I have been referred to Dr. Kahn in Birmingham. Is this who you are seeing? Maybe you're seeing one of his partners. Let me know how it went!
Okay, so I just noticed these posts are kinda old. Oops... I hope someone reads this...