One Successful Surgery - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

rubato · 03-09-2005, 08:44 PM

Hi everyone. I keep reading all these horror stories over and over about surgery and how bad off everyone is after having them. So, I thought I'd start a post for those few(or so it seems) who have had success.

It's been a month and a half since my discectomy, and I haven't felt this good in ages. My pain, without opening is gone! I never thought I'd be able to say that again. With opening, I have a pain of about 3-5 on one side only. I can live with that. I am off pain medication, and am about to ask to get off my muscle relaxer and anti inflammatory medication. I'm not even sure I need my anti depressant anymore. I still have some clicking and this new whooshing sound which I think is my condyle rubbing on something. My nerve issues with my cheek and head are getting better (I'm not as numb as I was the first month after surgery), so I guess that's not permanent. So, one successful surgery.

Please, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to take anything away from all you guys who are having trouble. I've read your stories and I feel awful for all of you. It's just that sometimes, it works. So, does anyone else have a success story?

Tandy

pwc · 03-10-2005, 09:57 AM

dear rubato,

i am so, so happy to hear of your progress and hope you have a very long run with your improved functional condition. i am glad you continue to see noticeable improvements. at 5 months out of my arthroscopic surgery (L- partial discectomy, R- reposition & suture disc) i wish i felt half as good as you say you do.

pwc · 03-10-2005, 02:01 PM

rubato, curious - do you have the pain on the side where you had the discectomy? and, may i ask - what mm is your opening? can you move your jaw laterally? if so, about how many mm? i'm just curious and i hope i'm not being too personal but you seem to have had the same (or almost the same) procedure as i did and have gone through pt as i did. i'd just like a basis for a comparison so i can see if there may be a light at the end of my tunnel too. thanks so much. and, once again - i'm glad you feel so much better. p.s. did you ever ask your surgeon if he cut the ligaments that held your disc when he resutured it?

rubato · 03-11-2005, 08:23 AM

Hi PWC. Don't ever worry about asking questions. I'm sorry to hear things still aren't going well for you. My doc did not cut any ligaments, so we'll see if the disc stays in place on the left. He just pushed it back in and sutured it. He said it was so perforated, it'd probably need to be removed at some point anyway. Yes, my pain is on the discectomy side. It's a much more invasive surgery, so I'm hoping it gets a little better, but if not, that's okay. I have managed to get a 41mm opening at this point. Lateral is 9mm on the good side and 7mm when I move my right. I'm still deviating a little, but after pt, I don't deviate at all. I just worry about when I start chewing again. This time I realize that certain things are off limits forever, but on Aug. 1st, I'm going to get to actually chew a piece of food. And, believe me, I will!

I hope I don't start backsliding. I did go for a run this week. It didn't add too much pain and, what pain it did, was gone by the next day. Thanks for all your kind words. And, I really do hope you start to improve. I'm guessing that the cut ligaments have made your healing process a lot longer. What is your doctor saying when you go see him or her? Are you where they expected you to be at this point? Keep me updated. Good luck.
Tandy

pwc · 03-13-2005, 04:55 PM

hi rubato,

thank you for sharing all your info and answering my questions. i'm certainly not at the point where you are and my surgeon is answering my pointed questions with very generalized answers. he told me i would be chewing at 4 weeks post op. i am 5 months post op and still only able to consume liquids. my omf surgeon, my 2 dentists, and 2 specialists i saw post op all say my surgeon "did too much" and cannot believe how much damage the surgery caused. 3 of them saw me pre-op and saw me at a level i can only hope to get BACK to. tandy, thanks again.