Arthroscopic Laser Surgery??? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

road8 · 03-21-2005, 05:30 PM

Hi,

I was wondering what some of yalls thoughts were on artroscopic laser surgery on the tmj. I have already had a diagnostic arthroscopy and the surgeon was unable to fix it while in there and said he would need the help of lasers because the cartlidge was too damaged. Just wanted to know if anyone had some success stories or horror stories and what I should prepare for? Thanks

pwc · 03-22-2005, 06:58 AM

hi,

i had bilateral arthroscopic tmj surgery in oct. '04 and it entailed the use of the holmium laser. i did reasearch on the laser before the surgery and thought it was o.k. as i thought the cuts would be more precise. however, after this horrible, horrible surgery that left me in worse shape than before, i saw another surgeon who told me the heat of the laser can cause a rapid and substantial development of scar tissue. i don't know what your surgeon is planning to do with your tm joint but i would find out what type of laser he would use and ask him about the complications from the heat of the laser. good luck.