Tell Me If You've Had a Good Experience With Arthoscopy - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

van533 · 08-10-2006, 03:01 PM

I've had TMJ for over 5 yrs now - nothing I've tried has worked very well (muscle relaxers, splint, anti-inflammatory, ice, & heat. TMJ got worse after Katrina (I live in Biloxi, MS) - go figure. So finally gave up and drove to New Orleans which has the only TMJ Specialist in this area now. Liked him & his staff & understood him & found him easy to talk to. He took x-rays, did an exam, and asked lots of questions. Recommends arthoscopy on both jaws following the MRI he's asked me to have.

I've done lots of research and am so-o-o undecided about surgery. Would be great if I could talk to someone who's had a good experience. About all I can find is folks who've had a bad experience. Anybody care to respond? I need some help here.

Thelma-Louise · 08-10-2006, 10:48 PM

I wish I could help but I haven't gotten there yet - I'm still fussing with splints, therapies and pain meds after 2 1/2 years so I am kind of curious as well. But here's a thought - a good dr usually doesn't mind giving you the names of other patients he has treated - do you think he would do this and maybe you can speak to someone else he treated with this?? Tell him it would help if you could speak with a another patient so you know what to expect. Keep in mind that results can be different for each person even if the same dr does the procedure b/c every one is different. I know there are privacy issues to contend with as well, but thought it might be worth a shot.

dani626 · 08-11-2006, 06:51 PM

Hello,

I too have been suffering from TMJ problems for some time now. Everything I tried so far has not "cured" me; I am a little better but still do not have full function of jaw. Anyhow, I know someone who has had arthroscopy last October and had a VERY SUCCESSFUL

experience. She is now "cured" and has full function of jaw. She saw a doctor up in Syracuse, NY (which I am going to see next Friday which is 5 1/2 hours from my house). The doctor I see now is good and supposedly one of the top guys but he doesn't take my insurance or do the arthroscopic surgery). The guy in Syracuse takes the insurance and does the surgery. Since my therapies have not helped the Doc. that I am seeing now said I could "live" with the problem and do nothing or I might be a candidate for the surgery (which he does not recommend for some reason but said it is an option). Since I can only open between 25-33 mm (depending on the day) I am definitely thinking about the surgery since I know someone it worked for. I hope that helps and good luck with your decision!

TiffanyAnn · 08-11-2006, 07:32 PM

Hi:
I'm sorry I can't be more positive but I don't know of one single person who has had an arthroscopy that it has helped. I have known people to have several of them and NONE of them helped. I truthfully don't think this procedure will help anyone and I'd hate to see you waste your time, money and energy on it. It would be my suggestion that you avoid all TMJ surgery as in most cases it causes more problems than it fixes and leads to multiple other TMJ surgeries.
Tiffany

rubato · 08-12-2006, 06:32 AM

I'll give you my experience, but everyone's different. I had arthroscopy done on both sides in 1994. Very easy recovery. I had 10 full years of no pain at all. So, I thought I was "cured". I started having pain again in 2004. I ended up having a discectomy in 2005 because my disc was destroyed. I had a rough time with this recovery. But, after I recovered, I had been pain free for a year. I have started hurting again this week. I know the reason. I've been enjoying being free of pain and have been eating raw carrots, and apples without slicing them and bagels and whatever bad for you things I can think of. My doctor doesn't believe in doing joint replacements and after hearing things on this board, I wouldn't do it anyway. From here on out, I will try to manage my condition with my splint and soft foods when needed. The point of my post is this: this condition is yours for a lifetime. It can get better and worse, but it will always be with you. I don't know if surgery is right for you, but don't look at it as the miracle answer to all your pain. It's been right for me and I've been happy with the results, but not everyone is. Do a lot of research and be informed. Good luck with your decision!