azwildcats70
01-17-2009, 08:55 AM
I can't seem to find any specifics about this surgery. Does anyone have any links or good resources? I'm looking for something that has information on pre-op, details on the procedure and post-op.
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luvtocamp
01-17-2009, 09:15 AM
I found it my putting Modified Condlylotomy into a search engine.:)
azwildcats70
01-17-2009, 09:20 AM
really? I do a search and an advanced search and all I get are case studies and a load of generic information. I can't seem to find anything with details of the procedure... details of post-op instructions/care.
I found it my putting Modified Condlylotomy into a search engine.:)
[Please see how this was edited above. Do not mention specific search engines. You can read more about this and other rules by clicking the "Posting Policy" above. Thanks - Well-come Moderator.]
I found it my putting Modified Condlylotomy into a search engine.:)
[Please see how this was edited above. Do not mention specific search engines. You can read more about this and other rules by clicking the "Posting Policy" above. Thanks - Well-come Moderator.]
StillHope
01-17-2009, 01:05 PM
Sorry, I get in. Just would hate the idea of someone having a surgery unnecessarily which is way too common!
I checked the MC and here is what is does: "...the region containing the mandibular condyle can be shifted downward and forward."
This really sounds like giving more room in the joint which is achieved generally by an appliance. Any TMJ surgery (even according to dentist's sites) should be reserved for the very last option.
What's your tmj situation?
I checked the MC and here is what is does: "...the region containing the mandibular condyle can be shifted downward and forward."
This really sounds like giving more room in the joint which is achieved generally by an appliance. Any TMJ surgery (even according to dentist's sites) should be reserved for the very last option.
What's your tmj situation?
luvtocamp
01-17-2009, 01:42 PM
You know I have thought alot about you and of couse am not aware of your case either, like do you grind at night and are you in need of dental repair, are you missing teeth, molars etc.
Stillhope is right, a splint can move the jaw down and forward which like she said is what the sx. is suppose to do.
I have also read on one site that a persons jaw is wired shut for a period of weeks after surgery of this type.
I am very surprised the os didn't explain in detail to you the surgery itself , the post operative instructions, the short and long term outcomes etc, will you need dental work afterwards, and have to wear a splint.
maybe put in TMJ modified condlylotomy into some search engines.
I know hes a well known os, but before anyone undergoes sx. for anything they should get a second opinion.
Are you married and what is your support system-family.
Stillhope is right, a splint can move the jaw down and forward which like she said is what the sx. is suppose to do.
I have also read on one site that a persons jaw is wired shut for a period of weeks after surgery of this type.
I am very surprised the os didn't explain in detail to you the surgery itself , the post operative instructions, the short and long term outcomes etc, will you need dental work afterwards, and have to wear a splint.
maybe put in TMJ modified condlylotomy into some search engines.
I know hes a well known os, but before anyone undergoes sx. for anything they should get a second opinion.
Are you married and what is your support system-family.
StillHope
01-17-2009, 01:52 PM
azwildcats70, I reread your other thread about your tmj state.
I'd doubt that biting on smth made a fracture of the condyle as you were told to have. If you were active you probably do not have weak bones and osteoporosis to such degree that your bones are so fragile.
I'd check them in any case. What is your approximate age? Do you still do active stuff?
If your splint helps I'd suggest to give your body a chance to heal and adapt. Focus on keeping your jaw relaxed as much as you can including the neck, shoulder, back muscles! Try other activities like yoga, pilates which focus on breathing, relaxing and toning at the same time.
And yes, give your jaw a chance to rest and heal by eating soft foods for now. I am not a tmj specialist of course, this is what I'd do based on all your posts.
I'd doubt that biting on smth made a fracture of the condyle as you were told to have. If you were active you probably do not have weak bones and osteoporosis to such degree that your bones are so fragile.
I'd check them in any case. What is your approximate age? Do you still do active stuff?
If your splint helps I'd suggest to give your body a chance to heal and adapt. Focus on keeping your jaw relaxed as much as you can including the neck, shoulder, back muscles! Try other activities like yoga, pilates which focus on breathing, relaxing and toning at the same time.
And yes, give your jaw a chance to rest and heal by eating soft foods for now. I am not a tmj specialist of course, this is what I'd do based on all your posts.
azwildcats70
01-17-2009, 03:36 PM
Thanks for everyone's concern. Coulple points:
I have been having jaw issues for AT LEAST a year. Clicking and popping... the doctor said on Xray he shows several previously healed fractures. I could see them myself on the xray as well. Considering the fact that I have broken my nose four times and been in a head-on collision at 50mph and damaged my olfactory nerve and lost my sense of taste and smell for nearly two years... it wouldn't be inconceivable that I may injured the jaw during one of these instances and not realized it.
As far as the the risks associated with surgery I am well aware. I have had three surgeries on my left knee and had ACL reconstruction last year on my right knee, had deviated septum surgery following the car accident and an emergency tonsillectomy. I have yet to have a surgery that wasn't successful and I attribute that in-part due to my extensive research of the doctors, the hospital, alternatives, procedure and rehab.
I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but I have an extremely high pain tolerance. Before and after each surgery I never took any pain meds other than just ibuprofen. From what I understand an ACL tear and the reconstruction are supremely painful. I was in mild discomfort.
As far as the doctor explaining post-op instructions, we haven't even got to that point yet. As of right now, we are being aggressively conservative with the appliance and physical therapy, knowing full well that surgery is more than likely down the road (6-8 weeks).
I have been having jaw issues for AT LEAST a year. Clicking and popping... the doctor said on Xray he shows several previously healed fractures. I could see them myself on the xray as well. Considering the fact that I have broken my nose four times and been in a head-on collision at 50mph and damaged my olfactory nerve and lost my sense of taste and smell for nearly two years... it wouldn't be inconceivable that I may injured the jaw during one of these instances and not realized it.
As far as the the risks associated with surgery I am well aware. I have had three surgeries on my left knee and had ACL reconstruction last year on my right knee, had deviated septum surgery following the car accident and an emergency tonsillectomy. I have yet to have a surgery that wasn't successful and I attribute that in-part due to my extensive research of the doctors, the hospital, alternatives, procedure and rehab.
I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but I have an extremely high pain tolerance. Before and after each surgery I never took any pain meds other than just ibuprofen. From what I understand an ACL tear and the reconstruction are supremely painful. I was in mild discomfort.
As far as the doctor explaining post-op instructions, we haven't even got to that point yet. As of right now, we are being aggressively conservative with the appliance and physical therapy, knowing full well that surgery is more than likely down the road (6-8 weeks).
azwildcats70
01-21-2009, 08:21 PM
Latest update:
Doctor prescribed MORA appliance and Therabite for physical therapy. Neither of which are being covered by my insurance because.... and this is the stupid part.... they are "surgical" appliances and since my surgery hasn't happened yet... they won't cover them.
I am going for a second opinion tomorrow to see if 1.) The treatment plan is correct and 2.) if so, is there a different way to "code" the appliances so they are not labeled "surgical"
I'm so upset because here I am with a broken condyle and a shredded disc... and no help. :(
Doctor prescribed MORA appliance and Therabite for physical therapy. Neither of which are being covered by my insurance because.... and this is the stupid part.... they are "surgical" appliances and since my surgery hasn't happened yet... they won't cover them.
I am going for a second opinion tomorrow to see if 1.) The treatment plan is correct and 2.) if so, is there a different way to "code" the appliances so they are not labeled "surgical"
I'm so upset because here I am with a broken condyle and a shredded disc... and no help. :(
azwildcats70
01-22-2009, 02:53 PM
Back from the second opinion....
The new doc says he can treat me without surgery. He said surgery may be needed in the distant future but it's too soon to tell. Need to heal the damage first. He's prescribing a night guard and a day splint and physical therapy 3 times a week for six weeks....
the one thing that bothered me is the 2nd opinion doc trashed the 1st opinion doc. I find that exceedingly unprofessional.
The new doc says he can treat me without surgery. He said surgery may be needed in the distant future but it's too soon to tell. Need to heal the damage first. He's prescribing a night guard and a day splint and physical therapy 3 times a week for six weeks....
the one thing that bothered me is the 2nd opinion doc trashed the 1st opinion doc. I find that exceedingly unprofessional.
StillHope
01-22-2009, 03:30 PM
I wouldn't call it unprofessional. We have different opinions about things so do the dentists. When it comes to a human body it is more like art and intuition rather than a test for your car and replacing the broken part.
I'd even go for a third opinion since your case is complex and a surgery is on the horizon. Did the 2nd dentist rejected the surgery at all?
I'd even go for a third opinion since your case is complex and a surgery is on the horizon. Did the 2nd dentist rejected the surgery at all?
luvtocamp
01-22-2009, 05:26 PM
I agee, surgery should be the very very last resort of every other tried treatment. I don't feel that was unprofessional either, I wouldn't of been
happy to hear that he may be able to help you without sx. Why jump
the gun, theres no turning back the clock. Maybe get a third opinion,
and go from there.
happy to hear that he may be able to help you without sx. Why jump
the gun, theres no turning back the clock. Maybe get a third opinion,
and go from there.
azwildcats70
01-22-2009, 06:07 PM
sorry - I neglected to mention that he called the first doctor unethical and that the only reason the 1st doc would order the surgical appliance and discuss surgery with me was solely for the money.
I was thinking a 3rd opinion might be in order as well... but what if it's totally different from the first two???
I was thinking a 3rd opinion might be in order as well... but what if it's totally different from the first two???
azwildcats70
01-22-2009, 07:21 PM
I wonder if I could go see an orthopedic surgeon or a otolaryngologist for this? To be frank, I think I just don't feel comfortable because they are only dentists and not medical doctors.
StillHope
01-22-2009, 07:24 PM
Then you will know that surgery is not that necessary! And you will try to research the info based on the whole picture which you will get from them all. First of all, understand the facts: what is exactly with your jaw, disks, and so on. You will also have a chance to feel whom you can trust the most based on your intuition about them and on your intuition of what's with your jaw.
StillHope
01-22-2009, 07:29 PM
I just read your new post. Besides clicking and popping of the jaw what are your actual symptoms that bother you?
azwildcats70
01-22-2009, 07:41 PM
My jaw locks open. I now have migraines when I wake up. When I sneeze, I now bite my tongue. Before the incident (January 5, 2009) with the loud pop all I ever had was the occasional popping and clicking and no pain whatsoever.
What I don't get is this.... are Xrays and MRIs not irrefutable? I mean how can one doctor say that my condyle is broken and the disk is gone... and another doctor say that's not the case.... I mean... it's either broken or it's not, right.
I think tomorrow I'm going to try to make an appointment with an Otolaryngologist... I really do not feel comfortable leaving a possible broken bone and fragmented disk to a dentist.
What I don't get is this.... are Xrays and MRIs not irrefutable? I mean how can one doctor say that my condyle is broken and the disk is gone... and another doctor say that's not the case.... I mean... it's either broken or it's not, right.
I think tomorrow I'm going to try to make an appointment with an Otolaryngologist... I really do not feel comfortable leaving a possible broken bone and fragmented disk to a dentist.