hypermobility..loose ligaments anyone?? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

RobynRose · 03-25-2003, 06:50 AM

Hi to all... I'm fairly new hear, but have been reading the posts with interest. I wondered if anyone had problem with their ligaments being too loose, and thus creating a hypermobllity of the tmj joint. I noticed many here have difficulty with openning, but I think my poblem may be that my ligaments are stretched too much - allowing the joint to be unstable and sublux. I have a ton of clunking and feel the sensation of dislocation to the point where I am constantly trying to adjust the joint mannually. Sometimes I "get it" - and it almost feels normal - BUT - it seems to dislocate again within minutes.
Thanks for any thoughts or advice--- Your support is much appreciated!! Robyn

TiffanyAnn · 03-25-2003, 10:57 AM

Hi Robyn:
My problem is that my muscles are so tight but TMJ has so many strange symptoms that I have no doubt your symtpoms are caused by TMJ. Have you seen a dentist or doctor for your problems?
Tiffany

Al4 · 03-25-2003, 11:42 AM

Robyn,

It has started to happen to me these last few weeks. There is so much clicking and grating when I move my lower jaw, eat, talk, or even breathe very shallowly that you would say there is a 4th of July celebration in there! Even wiping the face with a towel causes clicking. I never had these sounds before no matter what I did with my jaw. It is also affecting my facial and eye muscles. I do not know what that all means as far as the state of the joints and ligaments are concerned. I hope to find out when I see a maxillofacial surgeon soon for a second opinion. Do you have any pain or muscle spasms associated with all of your symptoms? Thanks. Al

[This message has been edited by Al4 (edited 03-25-2003).]

Isew4work · 03-26-2003, 01:23 PM

Dear Robin,
The same thing has happened to me. I think for all of my adult life. When I was a kid my wrist used to get dislocated anytime an adult would pull on my hand, my hips have always rolled out of joint very easily too. Then my son started disolocating his shoulder at age 8. A Dr. in Tennessee sent us to genetic testing and we found out we had a mild case of something called Ehlers Danlos. It can be serious for some people but for most people who have it,(and you would know by now) it just causes joint hyperextension and problems that go along with that. You can do a search on it and read about it. I find it interesting. My kids are very very flexible, my daughter can lock her fists and rotate them all the way over her head without loosening her grip.

Anyway, about 4-5 years ago I was told I had tmj due to opening my mouth too wide for an entire lifetime. I had never even given it any thougth. I have been in treatment now for 3 years but how can you help opening your mouth for yawning and such. My disks are displaced forward and now I have locking on the right side at about 25mm. I am pretty certain that I will be having arthoscopic surgery to hold the disks back in place for as long as it will last.

Let me know what you learn concerning treatment for people like us who get tmj from overextending. I would like to compare notes.

Best of luck,
Mary

[This message has been edited by Isew4work (edited 03-26-2003).]

totallyconfused · 04-22-2003, 07:35 PM

Hi Robyn,

I just found out that I may have hypermobile joints. (My PCP did a test for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and overall Inflammation and they came back normal.) Am I more susceptible to other problems because of this?

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by totallyconfused (edited 05-04-2003).]

[This message has been edited by totallyconfused (edited 10-29-2003).]