degeneration - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

navy2 · 07-03-2003, 12:37 AM

HI everyone!

Has anyone been told they have degeneration in their tmj joints. I might have that according to the sonogram.

Now here's the questions, Is this just something that they would find on a report because of my age. or is this something to be concerned about. I have no pain (except for the ache over my left tmj from the dentist visit). So what does this mean? Is my face ebentually going to be locked up and and painful or what? I'm voting for the old age phylosophy myself.

Navy

navy2 · 07-06-2003, 07:45 PM

So, does anyone out there have this problem? Can I still get neuromuscular dentistry and a splint (for my displaced left tmj), if it turns out that I do have arthritis in my right tmj? I've been all over the internet and all it says is they can detect arthritis during a neuro exam. They never come right out and say that they can do anything if you have arthritis though. So, do I just forget therapy then?

I read that over a third of the population that is middle aged (like me/48), or older have osteoarthritis in their tmj joints. Apparently if there is no pain, it is nor treated. Apparently the bone remodels and the pain (if there is any) stops after about 18 months. A person might have joint noise because of the roughened surface. So, sometimes people think they have tnj, when they really have arthritis. Also, a MPD muscle spasms can actually diaplace a disc over time and then you can get arthritis. This is probably what happened to me, I'll know more when I go back to the neuro next week.

The idea is to keep it from getting any worse. So, i'm staying on the glucosamine pills. I also ordered the liquid glucosamine (the one that's supposed to be good SYN..FL....X (there i didn't advertise, you can put the letters together yourself). I'm going to treat my tmj joint like all the other ones in my body and nutrition is a good way to treat any problems with joints. As i said before, Dr.Padolsky's TMJ Dysfunction page at the Atlanta Dental Group website has some great information on ways to manage a tmj problem.

I'm doing better tonight. I'm sorry that some of you are having pain and problems today. I'm noticing that all of us have good and bad days. Now we all need to get better and have all good days!

Well, my eyes are getting blurry ..time to call it a night!
Navy

p.s. Sorry if there are any typo's. I have trouble seeing with this darn tmj blurry vision sometimes.

amateurdoc · 07-06-2003, 07:54 PM

I cannot help you with your questions, but when do you go back to Dr. A for your neuro work-up?

Cymy Sue · 07-07-2003, 02:44 AM

Navy,

Don't give up on getting help if you do have arthritis.
Ths Splint I'm using was originally designed for people with osteo & rheumatoid arthritis. My Dentist said it had worked wonders for people with terrible arthritic disease. He has several patients in this category and they are doing well.

It passively lets the muscles relax and supports the joint. Several Dental groups thought if it would help people with diseased joints, it should help those with the problems I have. It does.

My Dentist said that they had (just) in the last few years started finding ways to help those of us who had multilple surgeries that pretty well destroyed our joints and especially discectomies.

Also, contrary to some that are designed to make changes and then to be followed up with Dental work, I can wear this one from now on without problems.

Take Care,
Cymy Sue

Isew4work · 07-07-2003, 06:21 AM

Navy,
I have degeneration too. I saw my own tomograms just taken last month. My joints look like fish hooks. I thought I was not that bad off either. My pain is not intolerable. I hear people on this board suffering so terribly and I feel awful for them. I just get achy tired joints, I get a sharp sharp breif pain in my right ear when I chew something I shouldn't. My left side freezes up more and more frequently. My latest Dr. told me that I did have a severe case, and now I am trying the lower jaw splint. I had all of the computerized testing done, with the magnet on my bottom lip and such. I am playing this out, and I reccommend you do the same. Don't get in a hurry to fix things, you may very well live this way the rest of your life, but try the slow and steady route.
I hope I did not sound discouraging, but encouraging. Don't give up!
Mary