JanisYang
08-21-2003, 09:51 AM
One of my fellow TMJ sufferers is considering getting an arthroscopy procedure on her TMJ. Is there anyone on this board whose symptoms have gotten worse because of that procedure? Janis
Sponsor
Cymy Sue
08-21-2003, 10:10 AM
Janis,
To be perfectly honest, we do have many members who have had bad experiences with arthroscopy.
Please remember that most people who have had these procedures go well, would most likely not be involved in this forum.
We do have one member who has stayed to post about her success with this procedure. Hopefully she will see your post and give you the details.
I'm sure many others will respond with their experiences.
You can also use the "Search" option. Just type in arthroscopy and there are many past threads regarding this subject.
Take care,
Cymy Sue
To be perfectly honest, we do have many members who have had bad experiences with arthroscopy.
Please remember that most people who have had these procedures go well, would most likely not be involved in this forum.
We do have one member who has stayed to post about her success with this procedure. Hopefully she will see your post and give you the details.
I'm sure many others will respond with their experiences.
You can also use the "Search" option. Just type in arthroscopy and there are many past threads regarding this subject.
Take care,
Cymy Sue
cally22
08-21-2003, 09:50 PM
Dear janisYang,
This is cally22, I would be remiss if I would not tell you that I have had an arthroscopy before.(On my right tmj) It helped for abot 6-8 months and then my problems started coming back worse. I ended up having to have a menisectomy (discectomy)one week shy of a year of my arthroscopy surgery. Even the discectomy hasn't really "helped" that much because I still have problems and I still have pain.
I went through all this to tell you that the arthroscopy has been said to be fairly and relatively safe procedure as for a surgery in tmj. But let me forwarn you, just because they say this doesn't mean that it doesn't or can't cause damage. Or doesn't mean that it wil or ot won't work. I can't say how it will work for one person to the next. But, and this sia big but, I can say how it worked for me.....
Please really consider this carefully. and good luck with everything.. cally22.
This is cally22, I would be remiss if I would not tell you that I have had an arthroscopy before.(On my right tmj) It helped for abot 6-8 months and then my problems started coming back worse. I ended up having to have a menisectomy (discectomy)one week shy of a year of my arthroscopy surgery. Even the discectomy hasn't really "helped" that much because I still have problems and I still have pain.
I went through all this to tell you that the arthroscopy has been said to be fairly and relatively safe procedure as for a surgery in tmj. But let me forwarn you, just because they say this doesn't mean that it doesn't or can't cause damage. Or doesn't mean that it wil or ot won't work. I can't say how it will work for one person to the next. But, and this sia big but, I can say how it worked for me.....
Please really consider this carefully. and good luck with everything.. cally22.
Sharbear
08-24-2003, 02:43 AM
If I were your friend I would not recomment it. I had one done way back in 1990. It was very painful and did nothing to help me only made matters worse. Just be honest.
Sharri
Sharri
OHJELJ
08-25-2003, 10:28 AM
I believe I'm the success story referred to by Cheryl.
Here's a brief synopsis:
1992 - Symtpoms began with dizziness and no opening
1993 - Following about seven different splints and treatments, had arthroscopy on both sides. Total success. Began to live life again.
1993-1994 - Had braces to correct the damage from wearing splints for two years.
2003 - Jan. Began to have major pain on left side. Saw a doctor. MRI said disks were out again on both sides.
2003 - March - Arthroscopy on both sides. Major adhesions and some scar tissue made it a difficult procedure, but was outpatient.
2003 - Present - Following five months of PT and wearing a bite plate at night, I have gone from a post surgical opening of 14mm to 42mm.
My problems are more muscular in nature and the experts feel that all of my TMJ problems were created by muscles torquing the disks out of place. I've learned how to control the clenching while awake and wear the splint at night to control while sleeping.
I'm now eating salads, pizza etc...for the rest of my life I will have to be conscious of this problem. It never goes completely away. However, I am living pain free on no medication besides the occasional advil. I would never have been without pain without having had the surgery.
I do not have to wear any splint except at night and am living my life again. I have no scars and no visible signs of surgery either.
As with any joint surgery, there are risks. But if you live within the restrictions and are content to cut your apples instead of biting like everyone else, life can be good. I have no damage to my disks either, which I think is different than many who post here.
I've said this so many times that I swear I'll never post again...but here goes. Everyone is different. Our symptoms differ and our bodies are different. Don't try to adopt someone else's treatment plan as your own. Please leave the diagnosis up to a physician that you trust. The advice here is just that. Advice. It's one person's story.
Best wishes,
Jennifer
[This message has been edited by OHJELJ (edited 08-25-2003).]
Here's a brief synopsis:
1992 - Symtpoms began with dizziness and no opening
1993 - Following about seven different splints and treatments, had arthroscopy on both sides. Total success. Began to live life again.
1993-1994 - Had braces to correct the damage from wearing splints for two years.
2003 - Jan. Began to have major pain on left side. Saw a doctor. MRI said disks were out again on both sides.
2003 - March - Arthroscopy on both sides. Major adhesions and some scar tissue made it a difficult procedure, but was outpatient.
2003 - Present - Following five months of PT and wearing a bite plate at night, I have gone from a post surgical opening of 14mm to 42mm.
My problems are more muscular in nature and the experts feel that all of my TMJ problems were created by muscles torquing the disks out of place. I've learned how to control the clenching while awake and wear the splint at night to control while sleeping.
I'm now eating salads, pizza etc...for the rest of my life I will have to be conscious of this problem. It never goes completely away. However, I am living pain free on no medication besides the occasional advil. I would never have been without pain without having had the surgery.
I do not have to wear any splint except at night and am living my life again. I have no scars and no visible signs of surgery either.
As with any joint surgery, there are risks. But if you live within the restrictions and are content to cut your apples instead of biting like everyone else, life can be good. I have no damage to my disks either, which I think is different than many who post here.
I've said this so many times that I swear I'll never post again...but here goes. Everyone is different. Our symptoms differ and our bodies are different. Don't try to adopt someone else's treatment plan as your own. Please leave the diagnosis up to a physician that you trust. The advice here is just that. Advice. It's one person's story.
Best wishes,
Jennifer
[This message has been edited by OHJELJ (edited 08-25-2003).]
JanisYang
08-26-2003, 09:30 AM
Thank you all for replying to my post.
I take that this procedure is fairly safe as for a surgery in tmj!!! (I was told many times that arthroscopy is very safe and it won't do any harm)
Jennifer, do you think the rusults of this surgery vary depending on dr's skills like many other surgeries? Janis
I take that this procedure is fairly safe as for a surgery in tmj!!! (I was told many times that arthroscopy is very safe and it won't do any harm)
Jennifer, do you think the rusults of this surgery vary depending on dr's skills like many other surgeries? Janis
OHJELJ
08-26-2003, 09:42 AM
Janis,
As with any surgical procedure, a doctor's skill is very important! The doc needs a very light touch and hard touch when applicable in this procedure...there's a lot of nerves and other sensitive areas that are broached in this procedure. In fact, the nerve that controlled my left eye was 'nicked' in my first surgery so I couldn't blink or close my eye for about 2 days...pretty awful! That could have been permanent. I got lucky!
The surgeons that do this procedure in a lot of instances handle plastic surgery cases as well, so exterior scarring isn't usually an issue....definitely do your research on the surgeon who's trying to work on you. I got really fortunate to have two wonderful OMS that did great work...one was Roger Meyer in Atlanta and the other was John Zak in Cleveland.
Don't forget though, that surgery isn't the end of the treatment...PT follows along with lots of lifestyle changes....
Best wishes,
Jennifer
As with any surgical procedure, a doctor's skill is very important! The doc needs a very light touch and hard touch when applicable in this procedure...there's a lot of nerves and other sensitive areas that are broached in this procedure. In fact, the nerve that controlled my left eye was 'nicked' in my first surgery so I couldn't blink or close my eye for about 2 days...pretty awful! That could have been permanent. I got lucky!
The surgeons that do this procedure in a lot of instances handle plastic surgery cases as well, so exterior scarring isn't usually an issue....definitely do your research on the surgeon who's trying to work on you. I got really fortunate to have two wonderful OMS that did great work...one was Roger Meyer in Atlanta and the other was John Zak in Cleveland.
Don't forget though, that surgery isn't the end of the treatment...PT follows along with lots of lifestyle changes....
Best wishes,
Jennifer
Cymy Sue
08-26-2003, 11:01 AM
Janis,
There are many threads of discussion on surgeries in this forum. If no one has told you about the "Search Feature", it's at the top right. You click on Search and then you can type in the procedure and all of these threads will be pulled up for you.(I'm sorry, I see that I did mention it earlier)
I tried to find a thread where just this procedure was discussed, but most have many different subjects included, so I thought you might just want to browse through them.
I did bump up 2 Topics that might be of interest. This will help you decide how serious this decision should be.
Elaine has posted a standard consent form for TMJ Surgery that we are required to sign here.
Topic: "Surgery Consent Form....Wow"
I also bumped up a post I made about surgery and included this form, plus some other information.
Topic: "Surgery..The Longest Post you've ever read"
It is quite long, but will give you some insight on TMJ surgeries that are performed here in the states, the risks that are involved and the problems you can be left with, permanently.
I did have very respectable surgeons with these procedures, they just went terribly wrong. This can happen with any surgery.
One thing I did not mention, is that I was prepped for arthroscopy twice. The first time, they, for some reason changed their mind and cancelled the surgery.
The second time, they told me right before the surgery, they had decided to do an arthroplasty instead.
I have not had an arthroscopic procedure, per se, but have discussed it at length with 5 different surgeons over the years and have been told all of the positives and negatives, because I was supposed to have the procedure twice. From some of the posts I've read and in talking with people who have had arthroscopic failures, the damage is about the same as with an arthroplastic (open joint or arthronomy)procedure. I just have 3 inch scars, where they do not.
I hope this information helps you and your friend.
This surgery does carry the same risks as all other surgeries and unless it is absolutely needed, should not be considered lightly. It is surgery and it's surgery on your face where the possibilty of nerve damage is very real, along with many other problems.
Jennifer is absolutely right about the surgeon. If this procedure is unavoidable for your friend, she needs to find the best surgeon available.
Take Care,
Cymy Sue
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 08-26-2003).]
There are many threads of discussion on surgeries in this forum. If no one has told you about the "Search Feature", it's at the top right. You click on Search and then you can type in the procedure and all of these threads will be pulled up for you.(I'm sorry, I see that I did mention it earlier)
I tried to find a thread where just this procedure was discussed, but most have many different subjects included, so I thought you might just want to browse through them.
I did bump up 2 Topics that might be of interest. This will help you decide how serious this decision should be.
Elaine has posted a standard consent form for TMJ Surgery that we are required to sign here.
Topic: "Surgery Consent Form....Wow"
I also bumped up a post I made about surgery and included this form, plus some other information.
Topic: "Surgery..The Longest Post you've ever read"
It is quite long, but will give you some insight on TMJ surgeries that are performed here in the states, the risks that are involved and the problems you can be left with, permanently.
I did have very respectable surgeons with these procedures, they just went terribly wrong. This can happen with any surgery.
One thing I did not mention, is that I was prepped for arthroscopy twice. The first time, they, for some reason changed their mind and cancelled the surgery.
The second time, they told me right before the surgery, they had decided to do an arthroplasty instead.
I have not had an arthroscopic procedure, per se, but have discussed it at length with 5 different surgeons over the years and have been told all of the positives and negatives, because I was supposed to have the procedure twice. From some of the posts I've read and in talking with people who have had arthroscopic failures, the damage is about the same as with an arthroplastic (open joint or arthronomy)procedure. I just have 3 inch scars, where they do not.
I hope this information helps you and your friend.
This surgery does carry the same risks as all other surgeries and unless it is absolutely needed, should not be considered lightly. It is surgery and it's surgery on your face where the possibilty of nerve damage is very real, along with many other problems.
Jennifer is absolutely right about the surgeon. If this procedure is unavoidable for your friend, she needs to find the best surgeon available.
Take Care,
Cymy Sue
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 08-26-2003).]
JanisYang
08-27-2003, 10:43 AM
I've never heard of nerve damages caused by arthroscopic surgery. In my country we TMJ patients are told that arthroscopy is very safe and that we will have nothing to lose having that surgery so why not? Now I know it's not true. I think I'll talk my friend out of it. I thank you all so much for the information. It helped. Janis.