LynneJW
02-08-2007, 10:58 AM
Here's a brief history:
after an accident, TM joint began locking and popping. Had conservative treatment (splints, muscle relaxants, antiinflammatories) for 2 years to no effect. After an arthrogram revealed that the disc kept slipping, I had an open arthroplasty (1989), still had pain, so had an osteotomy (vertical ramus, right side, no internal fixation to allow the joint to heal in whatever postition was most comfortable) in 1990, then in 1991 had another open procedure to remove some more condylar head and diseased disc. In general I have had no overt TMJ symptoms. I saw a new oral surgeon 2 years ago after moving to a new city, who said that given the surgeries I've had, the joint looks not too bad, but recommended arthrocentesis if the pain should return, and also made a splint for me to wear at night (I'm a big tooth grinder).
Well, for the past 3 weeks (after talking on the phone while lying down, so my jaw was pushed far to the right) I have had all sorts of pain, none of which is directly within the joint. The pain seems to migrate, at times seeming to come from one of my molars, then from one of my front teeth (all on the right), sometimes from my chin, sometimes from behind and below my ear, but mostly from the area at the bottom of the osteotomy. I have also had headaches, mostly right side, but sometimes right in the center of my face. The joint itself is not making any unusual noises (it always grates when I open my mouth wide, but this hasn't gotten any worse). I have no pain when opening or chewing, and my teeth aren't sensitive to hot or cold (hence I don't think it is tooth related). I have an apointment this afternoon with my dentist to rule out anything to do with teeth, and if he finds nothing, I will have to go back to the oral surgeon.
Does this sound jaw related even though there is no pain in the joint? Do you think this could be referred pain?
Thanks for listening!
Lynne
after an accident, TM joint began locking and popping. Had conservative treatment (splints, muscle relaxants, antiinflammatories) for 2 years to no effect. After an arthrogram revealed that the disc kept slipping, I had an open arthroplasty (1989), still had pain, so had an osteotomy (vertical ramus, right side, no internal fixation to allow the joint to heal in whatever postition was most comfortable) in 1990, then in 1991 had another open procedure to remove some more condylar head and diseased disc. In general I have had no overt TMJ symptoms. I saw a new oral surgeon 2 years ago after moving to a new city, who said that given the surgeries I've had, the joint looks not too bad, but recommended arthrocentesis if the pain should return, and also made a splint for me to wear at night (I'm a big tooth grinder).
Well, for the past 3 weeks (after talking on the phone while lying down, so my jaw was pushed far to the right) I have had all sorts of pain, none of which is directly within the joint. The pain seems to migrate, at times seeming to come from one of my molars, then from one of my front teeth (all on the right), sometimes from my chin, sometimes from behind and below my ear, but mostly from the area at the bottom of the osteotomy. I have also had headaches, mostly right side, but sometimes right in the center of my face. The joint itself is not making any unusual noises (it always grates when I open my mouth wide, but this hasn't gotten any worse). I have no pain when opening or chewing, and my teeth aren't sensitive to hot or cold (hence I don't think it is tooth related). I have an apointment this afternoon with my dentist to rule out anything to do with teeth, and if he finds nothing, I will have to go back to the oral surgeon.
Does this sound jaw related even though there is no pain in the joint? Do you think this could be referred pain?
Thanks for listening!
Lynne
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