Disc Reatachment Surgery

[Carey]

I was wondering if anyone has had disc reatachment surgery to unlock the jaw? my disc is anteriorly displaced( forward).

I would be greatful if any one has had this type of surgery and if you have, was it a success?

Take care,
Carey

[Carey]

Does anyone have any advice on this type of surgery?

Carey

[Bren30]

Carey ..I had a displaced disk for several years and was locked shut for a long time.It just got worse over the years.I went from Migraine Dr's to Nero Spl.to ENT's..and all types of Dentist.
After years of x-rays and medication I went to a great Oral surgeon recommend by a friend with tmjd.

You must have a MRI done to find the exact placement of the disc.I had this done last Oct. They found the right joint totally ahead of the socket( hence lock shut) well I was in alot of pain and was fighting my INS provider at the time for a surgery date..I was rear-ended sitting still in traffic. I had the Arthoplasty done 2 weeks later.They(open joint) placed the joint back where it was supposed to be and stitched it there in place. When I awoke in recovery I could tell a big difference.It felt like a rubber band had been cut from around my head...I went through it fine..I was healing very well and just last week I was in another accident ( rear-ended).I feel horrible now,The pain they say is from all the swelling in my joints.We will know in few weeks if anything permenant is damaged. So its kinda hard to say how I'm healing.
I will say You have to be the Perfect Canidate for this surgery.. Its not for everyone...But I was better for the last 6 months,until I was hit.

But the surgery part was a breeze after the pain of splints and everything I went through.

Please let me know more about your case and what you are going through,,,,Its hard I know.

Good luck...Bren

[Carey]

Bren,

Thanks for replying. I am sorry to hear your tmj troubles are back again. Thanks for the insight on the surgery and what to expect, even though i am still quite terrified about the whole thing. for over 3 years i have been battling with tmj. the cause of my tmj was from after having a general anaesthetic, where they put a tube down my throat for an air way and they were rough with my jaw doing so. I have tried all conservative treatments from 3 splints which i think made my tmj worse, physio, chiropractor, acupuncture and 2 arthrocentesis (washout of the joint). it was when i had my first washout when i became totally locked shut, and have been ever since (one and a half years) with an opening of 5mm.

I give many many thanks to my pain management specialist who not only knew the right surgeon for me, but has managed my pain, which no other doctor did anything about. although i am heavily sedated at night and i am in bed at 7:30pm, and take 11 different tablets, i am just about pain free, except for the odd days in which my pain is unbearable.
I went to se 5 different surgeons for opinions in my state (Melbourne) and they wanted to remove my disc completely. i was not impressed with that at all, i am only 22 years old and i could see what would follow if i went ahead with that surgery, joint degeneration and arthritis. but the surgeon i have found is the best in the country and one of the best in the world, so in think i will be in good hands.he said that i am too young to have the disc removed and there would be no way that he would even consider removing it, instead, as you read from my post he will reatach my disc. so i will just see what happens, and hopefully there will be light at the end of the tunnel for me..

Take care, and keep me posted on how you are going.

Carey



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 08-06-2002).]

[Bren30]

Carey..I am so sorry to hear of all the pain you have gone through yourself..It is very hard to handle and with an opening of 5mm..I just cant imagine it.
I had heard that the washing (flushing ) of the joints was painful as surgery..I wore the splints and all the other that comes with it ..But I did find a Doctor that told me if we are going into the joint for any reason it is to repair it..I know he has helped me alot..But the injury I'm dealing with now ... All I have to wait on is time.. to see if it will get better, He did see a MRI in the near future.. I hope it will show all Is great when the swelling goes away.


Please be careful about the scar tissue and exercise your mouth..I find moist heat when doing the stretching helps alot and Never over do it.

I know how life deals hard challenges .. At 22 you are really being tested..Please be strong...I have known the ugly face of TMJ for many years too...Its hard for others to see it and even understand.

But we all know... It is real.
...Hang in there.