schmoosie
03-24-2006, 11:12 PM
When I was 14, I had re-corrective jaw surgery to correct my open and over bite. By the time I was 18, my bite was moving back to its original ways. Ever since the surgery, I sufford from TMJ pain, popping, cracking, and not being able to bite a piece of pizza or eat a sandwich without making a mess. I have learned to live with the pain, but now it's become much more than that!
I am now 26, and just as I was getting ready to have the re-corrective jaw surgery for a second time in January '06, my oral surgeon noticed a major problem in the joints of my jaw. He sent me to a TMJ specialist in Philly, at the University of Pennsylvania on March 21st.
This specialist has indicated that the balls of my joints are 30% deteriorated, and that is the cause of the re-lapse in my original jaw surgery. (Gotta love TMJD!!) However, if I want to fix my again over/open bite, I need to fix the root problem- my joints.
He said the only option to completely correct the issue, would be to replace my joints with plastic ones. OMG!! :eek: I am only 26! Joint replacement?!?
And... he said the longest joint replacement know to last has been 12 years! So what, when I'm 38-40, I'll have to have the surgery again?!
I am extremely scared about going through with this, and definitely want a third, even fourth opinion on such a major decision.
Can anyone please, please help me with any info they can provide. I need names of other TMJ specialists, anywhere in the country-- I will fly for those much needed third and fourth opinions!
I would also love to hear about anyone who has actually gone through this process, and how it has worked for them.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and for any info you are able to provide! :angel:
I am now 26, and just as I was getting ready to have the re-corrective jaw surgery for a second time in January '06, my oral surgeon noticed a major problem in the joints of my jaw. He sent me to a TMJ specialist in Philly, at the University of Pennsylvania on March 21st.
This specialist has indicated that the balls of my joints are 30% deteriorated, and that is the cause of the re-lapse in my original jaw surgery. (Gotta love TMJD!!) However, if I want to fix my again over/open bite, I need to fix the root problem- my joints.
He said the only option to completely correct the issue, would be to replace my joints with plastic ones. OMG!! :eek: I am only 26! Joint replacement?!?
And... he said the longest joint replacement know to last has been 12 years! So what, when I'm 38-40, I'll have to have the surgery again?!
I am extremely scared about going through with this, and definitely want a third, even fourth opinion on such a major decision.
Can anyone please, please help me with any info they can provide. I need names of other TMJ specialists, anywhere in the country-- I will fly for those much needed third and fourth opinions!
I would also love to hear about anyone who has actually gone through this process, and how it has worked for them.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and for any info you are able to provide! :angel:
Sponsor
navymid
03-25-2006, 09:54 AM
i dont really know any information about the joint replacement, but I am going to see a specialist at UPenn this Tuesday! Did you see Dr. Quinn?
schmoosie
03-25-2006, 10:01 AM
Yes. Dr. Quinn is who I went to see. He was very nice, and thorough, and although it was a very short consult visit, he explained my situation a lot better than my oral surgeon.
Good luck with your appointment on Tues! Keep me posted how it goes. Hopefully your not in the same boat as me!!!
Good luck with your appointment on Tues! Keep me posted how it goes. Hopefully your not in the same boat as me!!!
navymid
03-25-2006, 03:46 PM
I'm glad to hear that he was very informative. I was referred to him by a couple people and I am anxious to hear what he has to say. So far I have seen around 25 doctors about my jaw(but mainly a group of 4 working together). The two main different opinions I have got are that one doctor said both sides would need open joint disctomy and the other says only the left injured side and possibly a condylotomy. It would be nice to see what doctor Quinn thinks shouls be done. The main thing is that everyone I have seen says that I need open joint(after I hava already had two unseccessful arhtrocentesis and one unsecessful arthroscopy). I would just like to know what kind of surgery is best and what exactly is going on with the joint(s). I feel like some questions are still unanswered.
I am anxious to see Dr. Quinn though and will let you know how it goes. Good luck with the joint replacement situation!
I am anxious to see Dr. Quinn though and will let you know how it goes. Good luck with the joint replacement situation!
navymid
03-28-2006, 10:42 PM
I saw Dr. Quinn today and basically felt the same way as you. I thought he was very nice, but the visit was very short. He confirmed what my OS said basically and that I need open joint on the left and possibly right. So, I will call and set that up tomorrow.... I've had 3 opinions... all basically the same, so it looks like my only option is open joint.
TiffanyAnn
04-03-2006, 12:12 AM
I really wish you would all rethink allowing surgery to be done. If you research these boards you will notice that once someone has one TMJ surgery it leads to a second and third, some people have had 15 TMJ surgeries and many have ended up in far more severe pain than they were in before they had surgery. TMJ surgery is a very serious surgery. Please do your homework and be prepared because you could end up in worse shape than you are in now with facial paralysis and excruiating pain.
Tiffany
Tiffany
quirkyvirgo
04-04-2006, 06:11 PM
I can really relate to this post. I am 27 and have had TMD symptoms since age 10. I have seen TMD specialists off and on and none have really done any good. I had bilateral arthroscopy/arthroscentesis last May and did no good (except about 3 weeks post op).
I finally found a good specialist who is working with me but he feels I need surgery to improve.
In early March, I saw a well known TMJ surgeon, Dr. Larry Wolford, in Dallas, who recommended total joint replacement with TMJ Concepts. I feel like he did an excellent job of going over everything with me, all my records/MRI's/x-rays, included, and explaining exactly what is going on in my joint. I would highly recommend seeing him for a second opinion for that reason.
I can't believe the OS you saw didn't go over things more clearly with you.
Dr. Wolford presented basically the same information you said, that Concepts have only been around 16 years, and they should last at least 10.
I have looked into having a second opinion with another surgeon, Dr. Patrick Louis through UAB in Burmingham. Here is his site if you would like his information:
[Removed]
He was recommended both by patients and my TMD specialist.
I have also heard a lot (although mixed and most of the good things I've heard have been from dentists) about Brenden Stack. Here is a link to his site: [Removed]
Hope that helps.
Tandi
[Do not post websites with detailed contact information or advertising. Please read more about this by clicking the "Posting Rules" above. Some edu sites may be OK, but in this case I would have to ask you to have it pre-approved by moderator1 first, as outlined in these rules. Thanks - Well-come Moderator.]
I finally found a good specialist who is working with me but he feels I need surgery to improve.
In early March, I saw a well known TMJ surgeon, Dr. Larry Wolford, in Dallas, who recommended total joint replacement with TMJ Concepts. I feel like he did an excellent job of going over everything with me, all my records/MRI's/x-rays, included, and explaining exactly what is going on in my joint. I would highly recommend seeing him for a second opinion for that reason.
I can't believe the OS you saw didn't go over things more clearly with you.
Dr. Wolford presented basically the same information you said, that Concepts have only been around 16 years, and they should last at least 10.
I have looked into having a second opinion with another surgeon, Dr. Patrick Louis through UAB in Burmingham. Here is his site if you would like his information:
[Removed]
He was recommended both by patients and my TMD specialist.
I have also heard a lot (although mixed and most of the good things I've heard have been from dentists) about Brenden Stack. Here is a link to his site: [Removed]
Hope that helps.
Tandi
[Do not post websites with detailed contact information or advertising. Please read more about this by clicking the "Posting Rules" above. Some edu sites may be OK, but in this case I would have to ask you to have it pre-approved by moderator1 first, as outlined in these rules. Thanks - Well-come Moderator.]
TiffanyAnn
04-04-2006, 09:12 PM
In early March, I saw a well known TMJ surgeon, Dr. Larry Wolford, in Dallas, who recommended total joint replacement with TMJ Concepts
Hope that helps.
Tandi
EVERYBODY I know who has seen Dr. Wolford has been told they need total joint replacement with TMJ Concepts. That makes me extremely suspicious. Think about it folks....at $90,000 a pop!
Tiffany
Hope that helps.
Tandi
EVERYBODY I know who has seen Dr. Wolford has been told they need total joint replacement with TMJ Concepts. That makes me extremely suspicious. Think about it folks....at $90,000 a pop!
Tiffany
moderator2
04-19-2006, 11:27 PM
Please read and follow the posting rules.
VA-GAL
04-23-2006, 11:56 AM
Tiffany
I have heard the same thing about the doctor in Texas. I would be very wary of his recommending total joint replacements to anyone too. Anyone who gets this recommendation from him should definately get a second and third opinion from other well respected surgeons. I am glad you pointed this out Tiffany!
Va-gal
I have heard the same thing about the doctor in Texas. I would be very wary of his recommending total joint replacements to anyone too. Anyone who gets this recommendation from him should definately get a second and third opinion from other well respected surgeons. I am glad you pointed this out Tiffany!
Va-gal
TiffanyAnn
04-24-2006, 07:57 PM
Tiffany
I have heard the same thing about the doctor in Texas. I would be very wary of his recommending total joint replacements to anyone too. Anyone who gets this recommendation from him should definately get a second and third opinion from other well respected surgeons. I am glad you pointed this out Tiffany!
Va-gal
Va-gal:
Thanks for responding to my post. I had begun to think that people come on this board with their minds already made up to have surgery and ignore any posts which list the facts that surgery for TMJ is serious and often leaves the person in more pain than they were in previous to surgery. I became extremely suspicious of Dr. Wolford because I know at least 4 people that have seen him and in every instance he suggested total joint replacement with TMJ concepts at $90,000.00 a pop and that makes me VERY suspicious.
Tiffany
I have heard the same thing about the doctor in Texas. I would be very wary of his recommending total joint replacements to anyone too. Anyone who gets this recommendation from him should definately get a second and third opinion from other well respected surgeons. I am glad you pointed this out Tiffany!
Va-gal
Va-gal:
Thanks for responding to my post. I had begun to think that people come on this board with their minds already made up to have surgery and ignore any posts which list the facts that surgery for TMJ is serious and often leaves the person in more pain than they were in previous to surgery. I became extremely suspicious of Dr. Wolford because I know at least 4 people that have seen him and in every instance he suggested total joint replacement with TMJ concepts at $90,000.00 a pop and that makes me VERY suspicious.
Tiffany
MaggieMay78
04-25-2006, 07:19 AM
I agree with many of the posters on here--from all of the research I've done and stories I've read, TMJ surgery is definitely NOT something to take lightly. But...if you are going to get more opinions, I was wondering about seeing Dr. Mark Piper in Florida? I hear it is very expensive to have a consultation with him...but from what I know he has an excellent reputation. Just a thought, it may be worth your time to look up his web site and see what you think. You can also look up the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons...that is a good site with a list of highly qualified surgeons.
Again, just be very careful about making this decision. Good luck and keep us posted! :wave:
-Meg
Again, just be very careful about making this decision. Good luck and keep us posted! :wave:
-Meg
papergoods
05-02-2006, 02:41 AM
HI I am flying to Dallas from LA tomorrow to see Larry Wolford....I am worried because my joints are failry dislocated...but I am pretty stern in my opinion to not have any more metal placed in my body EVER..(i already have a plate in my neck) I was hoping he also did arthoscopic...Ill let you guys kinow
meditation
05-02-2006, 07:37 PM
I agree with many of the posters on here--from all of the research I've done and stories I've read, TMJ surgery is definitely NOT something to take lightly. But...if you are going to get more opinions, I was wondering about seeing Dr. Mark Piper in Florida? I hear it is very expensive to have a consultation with him...but from what I know he has an excellent reputation. Just a thought, it may be worth your time to look up his web site and see what you think. You can also look up the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons...that is a good site with a list of highly qualified surgeons.
Again, just be very careful about making this decision. Good luck and keep us posted! :wave:
-Meg
Meg. I know I haven't been on the board, lately. My TMJD has been nothing short of a nightmare. But, there is a reason why I felt I need to relay my experiences.
I saw that you are thinking about going to Dr. Piper. As a teenager, I had 12 bilateral procedures on my TMJ. At 31 (on my birthday) I was forced to undergo a total joint replacement. I've seen almost all the 'influential' tmj surgeons in Florida...as a teen. With this bout of TMJD, I am seeing a doc up in Gainesvile, who performed the recent surgery.
I guess I am relaying this to you because I have seen Dr. Piper. I caution people with him. He may be considered to be a 'world renowed' surgeon. But my experience, with him, was nothing short of horrible. My mother took me to see him a long time ago. Almost immediately, he recommended surgery. My mother eventually consented, as I was a minor. Following his surgery, I almost instantaneously went bone on bone. What I found majorly disappointment was that he just dismissed my pain and also other symptoms, despite the fact the doctors in his group (PT's and PA's and Ortho) told him I was bone on bone.
I felt like no matter what I said, he didn't listen. He basically took out my synovial sac, thus nothing lubricated my joints. He put silastic implants, temporarily, and almost immediately I had a reaction to them.
He may be a good surgeon. But, that wasn't my experience. I felt like once he got my money and his surgery failed, that he was done with me. Unfortunately, I have seen and experienced this first hand.
I do not want to dissuade you from seeing him. But, he really didn't try to examine the issues I had, nor did he do anything to help the pain.
I wish you luck,
Meditation
Again, just be very careful about making this decision. Good luck and keep us posted! :wave:
-Meg
Meg. I know I haven't been on the board, lately. My TMJD has been nothing short of a nightmare. But, there is a reason why I felt I need to relay my experiences.
I saw that you are thinking about going to Dr. Piper. As a teenager, I had 12 bilateral procedures on my TMJ. At 31 (on my birthday) I was forced to undergo a total joint replacement. I've seen almost all the 'influential' tmj surgeons in Florida...as a teen. With this bout of TMJD, I am seeing a doc up in Gainesvile, who performed the recent surgery.
I guess I am relaying this to you because I have seen Dr. Piper. I caution people with him. He may be considered to be a 'world renowed' surgeon. But my experience, with him, was nothing short of horrible. My mother took me to see him a long time ago. Almost immediately, he recommended surgery. My mother eventually consented, as I was a minor. Following his surgery, I almost instantaneously went bone on bone. What I found majorly disappointment was that he just dismissed my pain and also other symptoms, despite the fact the doctors in his group (PT's and PA's and Ortho) told him I was bone on bone.
I felt like no matter what I said, he didn't listen. He basically took out my synovial sac, thus nothing lubricated my joints. He put silastic implants, temporarily, and almost immediately I had a reaction to them.
He may be a good surgeon. But, that wasn't my experience. I felt like once he got my money and his surgery failed, that he was done with me. Unfortunately, I have seen and experienced this first hand.
I do not want to dissuade you from seeing him. But, he really didn't try to examine the issues I had, nor did he do anything to help the pain.
I wish you luck,
Meditation
TiffanyAnn
05-02-2006, 07:45 PM
HI I am flying to Dallas from LA tomorrow to see Larry Wolford....I am worried because my joints are failry dislocated...but I am pretty stern in my opinion to not have any more metal placed in my body EVER..(i already have a plate in my neck) I was hoping he also did arthoscopic...Ill let you guys kinow
I have no doubt that Dr. Wolford will suggest TJR with the TMJ concepts. Every person I know who has seen him has been told they need to have TJR at $90,000.00 a pop. I wish you luck.
Tiffany
I have no doubt that Dr. Wolford will suggest TJR with the TMJ concepts. Every person I know who has seen him has been told they need to have TJR at $90,000.00 a pop. I wish you luck.
Tiffany
MaggieMay78
05-08-2006, 07:57 AM
Meditation,
Thanks for the info about Dr. Piper...although I am not actually considering surgery myself (I was addressing the original author of the thread, "Schmoosie"--I realize I didn't make that clear!) Anyway, though, the information you gave is good for everyone to know, so thanks for sharing it!
I have read your postings about your surgery troubles...I am very sorry to hear about all you have gone through. It sounds like you have endured an awful lot, and being a college professor throughout all of this must be very challenging! Please keep us posted about your condition...I hope you are able to get some relief soon. What kind of pain management are you doing right now?
Take care,
Meg
Thanks for the info about Dr. Piper...although I am not actually considering surgery myself (I was addressing the original author of the thread, "Schmoosie"--I realize I didn't make that clear!) Anyway, though, the information you gave is good for everyone to know, so thanks for sharing it!
I have read your postings about your surgery troubles...I am very sorry to hear about all you have gone through. It sounds like you have endured an awful lot, and being a college professor throughout all of this must be very challenging! Please keep us posted about your condition...I hope you are able to get some relief soon. What kind of pain management are you doing right now?
Take care,
Meg
Shirlett
05-09-2006, 01:03 PM
If this DX is charging $90,000.00 for each surgery then you need to RUN!!!! I know for a fact that the TMJ Concepts (Two of them) DO NOT COST MORE THAN $3,000.00. My ENTIRE surgery including the DX fees and OR did not exceed $20,000.00. That DX is lining his pocket!
Michelle W
05-10-2006, 01:15 AM
Hmmm, interesting as I had an evaluation in August of 2005 and I was quoted a charge of around 100,000.00 for everything. That included hospital bill, concepts, anestheiologist, doctor's fee the whole sha-bang so-to-speak.
MaggieMay78
05-11-2006, 06:46 AM
I have read numerous posts from people who have had, or plan to have, TMJ Concepts. I'm not sure if the $90,000 Dr. Wolford quote includes hospital stay, anesthesia, etc...but I do know that 80-100k is not uncommon when all of this stuff is included.
Meg
Meg
Michelle W
05-11-2006, 12:57 PM
That 90,000 to 100, 000.00 was for everything. I got a breakdown list for all charges there were 15 of them. It was a break down just like you would have done for car service work where the listed hospital admission 335.00, surgery models 135.00, CT model evaluation and set 1700.00, hospital visits 500.00, hospital discharge 500.00 and etc. I can list all the charges. It adds up to 100,000.00, but when they found out I lived in MO they got a look on their face and sort of just shut the chart. It is obvious to me that nobody gives a hoot about my situation.
goodwillstacy
05-21-2006, 06:55 PM
Hi everyone,
It has been quite a while since I last posted here! This is an interesting thread... While i have not seen Dr. Wolford or Dr. Piper, I have talked to many who have. A lot of people have voiced the same concerns you all have.
As you may or may not know, I just had stage one of the total joint replacement process done May 12th. My mouth is wired and I am waiting for the Concepts joints to be made. June 23rd I will have them placed and hopefully the wires will be removed (if my coronoids are ok - if not, I will be wired for a week or so more).
I have been very pleased with the process thus far and feel that I am doing extremely well, considering. Being wired isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I have been documenting the process on my site with pictures and everything.
As far as price goes, a lot of it depends on how long you will be in the hospital, your surgeons fees (this is the one that varies the most from what I have found), etc. I think mine will end up being around 80-100,000. I didn't stay in the hospital very long with stage one (one night..they originally said at least 3 but I was doing well so I went home) but it was in the ICU, so that will be more expensive than it probably would have been to stay two nights in a different floor.
If you all have any questions, please let me know!
Sincerely,
Stacy
It has been quite a while since I last posted here! This is an interesting thread... While i have not seen Dr. Wolford or Dr. Piper, I have talked to many who have. A lot of people have voiced the same concerns you all have.
As you may or may not know, I just had stage one of the total joint replacement process done May 12th. My mouth is wired and I am waiting for the Concepts joints to be made. June 23rd I will have them placed and hopefully the wires will be removed (if my coronoids are ok - if not, I will be wired for a week or so more).
I have been very pleased with the process thus far and feel that I am doing extremely well, considering. Being wired isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I have been documenting the process on my site with pictures and everything.
As far as price goes, a lot of it depends on how long you will be in the hospital, your surgeons fees (this is the one that varies the most from what I have found), etc. I think mine will end up being around 80-100,000. I didn't stay in the hospital very long with stage one (one night..they originally said at least 3 but I was doing well so I went home) but it was in the ICU, so that will be more expensive than it probably would have been to stay two nights in a different floor.
If you all have any questions, please let me know!
Sincerely,
Stacy
artsysister
06-08-2007, 10:49 PM
Shirlette:
Hi! Looking at getting Concepts for left and right. How are you doing following your surgery? Where did you have the procedure done and by whom? I'm seeing the doc in Texas, also. Just had the consultation and haven't seen any estimates for treatment. Currently in orthodontics. I'm hoping all goes well for Stacy seeing here post here.
Hi! Looking at getting Concepts for left and right. How are you doing following your surgery? Where did you have the procedure done and by whom? I'm seeing the doc in Texas, also. Just had the consultation and haven't seen any estimates for treatment. Currently in orthodontics. I'm hoping all goes well for Stacy seeing here post here.