my thoughts to someone who is considering surgery. - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Isew4work · 06-12-2003, 08:12 PM

I had arthrocentesis surgery last November. My doc made it sound like such an easy procedure that would clean up the loose cartilege in my jaw and not do any damage at all. I trusted him and went into it completely blind. I would like to help anyone from making that mistake.

I can tell you that I have not met one person who it worked for, I thought it was just my bad luck at first but I don't really think it has worked for anyone who truly suffered from tmj. It took my tmj from uncomfortable and annoying to painful and jaw locking up. Anyone who is considering this option, please consider this first because it really makes sense to me, now. Hind sight is always clearer, right? If your jaw is malfunctioning and is causing things to be out of line to the point of your cartilege moving out of the jaw (displaced disks) then ask yourself, or your specialist, what is causing that to happen in the first place? Can we fix that? Because to fix the disk and put it back into place is only going to work for how long? Each time they have to go in there it will cause more scar tissue, more damage and more pain. If you foot did not work and rubbed the ground when you walked, would you keep putting bandages on the wound or would you try to keep your foot from rubbing the ground? I don't mean to speak out so boldly against surgery because I used to really ride the fence on this issue but through finding this board and talking to real people, I learned alot. Just felt I should share this.
Mary

Cymy Sue · 06-13-2003, 02:43 AM

Mary,

Thanks for posting your experience. Everyone needs to be aware that these procedures are invasive and they are "SURGERY", with all the risks and complications that can arise from any surgical procedure.

Currently, "Scope Procedures" are sometimes made to sound like a "Walk in the Park." They are not.

Anytime your body is cut and an instrument or instuments are inserted, regardless of the reason, you have had a Surgical Procedure. With the TM Joints, the outcome is never certain and almost always, there will be a "Next Time".

Surgery is needed in a small percentage of cases.
Trying to repair dislocated, deteriorated and damaged disc has a very low success rate.

Everyone needs to be aware of all aspects of these procedures and read very carefully the Pre-op papers & Releases you are required to sign.

We ask a while back if posting experience with surgery, bad or good, was wanted by the members of this Forum. Everyone who replied said "YES".

Cymy Sue

lecach · 06-13-2003, 06:44 AM

I agree with you Mary. I sure wish I had found these boards before my surgery last year. I had surgery to put my disks back in place. Now they are out again and I am in worse pain than before. I feel so much more informed. When I went to my Dr. last and he mentioned a repositional splint I knew exactly what he was talking about. My cousin has been told she needs surgery for her TMJ and I advised her to get all the info she could first.

Leigh