Locked TMJ after Lower Jaw Suergery

[Guest guest]

I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty. I have

a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to eat

(mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my mouth 1

finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

" dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has any

one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

Thanks

from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had a lot of problems with my TMJ joints both before and after

orthognathic surgery. I was only able to open about 6 mm after my

surgeries (done in two stages to minimize stress on the joints

because of the large movements involved) but my surgeon wasn't

really concerned about it until a few months had gone by and I still

couldn't open. Then he referred me to a TMJ specialist. Maybe it's

not unusual to not be able to open so early post-op. I was tightly

banded shut for about 4-6 weeks after surgery so I don't know how

wide I could have opened at that point. What does your surgeon say

about it? Hopefully it's just some temporary inflammation around the

joint that is causing your pain. I hope you feel better soon and

your opening improves on its own.

> I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty. I

have

> a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to eat

> (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

mouth 1

> finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has any

> one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> Thanks

> from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had a lot of problems with my TMJ joints both before and after

orthognathic surgery. I was only able to open about 6 mm after my

surgeries (done in two stages to minimize stress on the joints

because of the large movements involved) but my surgeon wasn't

really concerned about it until a few months had gone by and I still

couldn't open. Then he referred me to a TMJ specialist. Maybe it's

not unusual to not be able to open so early post-op. I was tightly

banded shut for about 4-6 weeks after surgery so I don't know how

wide I could have opened at that point. What does your surgeon say

about it? Hopefully it's just some temporary inflammation around the

joint that is causing your pain. I hope you feel better soon and

your opening improves on its own.

> I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty. I

have

> a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to eat

> (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

mouth 1

> finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has any

> one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> Thanks

> from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had a lot of problems with my TMJ joints both before and after

orthognathic surgery. I was only able to open about 6 mm after my

surgeries (done in two stages to minimize stress on the joints

because of the large movements involved) but my surgeon wasn't

really concerned about it until a few months had gone by and I still

couldn't open. Then he referred me to a TMJ specialist. Maybe it's

not unusual to not be able to open so early post-op. I was tightly

banded shut for about 4-6 weeks after surgery so I don't know how

wide I could have opened at that point. What does your surgeon say

about it? Hopefully it's just some temporary inflammation around the

joint that is causing your pain. I hope you feel better soon and

your opening improves on its own.

> I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty. I

have

> a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to eat

> (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

mouth 1

> finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has any

> one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> Thanks

> from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I see my surgeon next Monday 9th Feb. so I'm just worrying a bit until

then I hope...I can't imagine what you've been through..you seem so

strong in coping with it all

> > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty. I

> have

> > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to eat

> > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> mouth 1

> > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has

any

> > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > Thanks

> > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I see my surgeon next Monday 9th Feb. so I'm just worrying a bit until

then I hope...I can't imagine what you've been through..you seem so

strong in coping with it all

> > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty. I

> have

> > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to eat

> > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> mouth 1

> > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has

any

> > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > Thanks

> > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I see my surgeon next Monday 9th Feb. so I'm just worrying a bit until

then I hope...I can't imagine what you've been through..you seem so

strong in coping with it all

> > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty. I

> have

> > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to eat

> > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> mouth 1

> > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has

any

> > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > Thanks

> > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

,

You have every right to be worried. I, like , have had joint

problems and multiple procedures to attempt correction, though not

as much as she has put up with (God bless her!). After my

orthognathic surgery, I had some serious pain in my left joint and

couldn't sleep lying down. My doc was hesitant to do anything about

it until my splint came out and I was done with elastics to bring my

back teeth together. The elastics can put strain on the joint, but

even when I no longer wore mine, I still had awful joint pain. My

doc did an arthrocentisis, which means he flushed the joint out with

a saline solution, when I was 7 weeks post from the orthognathic

surgery. It helped, though I still have joint problems. So, you're

experience isn't unique, which means that hopefully your doc will

have some options for you.

I feel I should point out that my left joint was arthritic long

before my orthognathic surgery, so all of this wasn't really a

result of the surgery, but that the surgery aggravated things.

> > > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty.

I

> > have

> > > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to

eat

> > > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> > mouth 1

> > > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has

> any

> > > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > > Thanks

> > > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

,

You have every right to be worried. I, like , have had joint

problems and multiple procedures to attempt correction, though not

as much as she has put up with (God bless her!). After my

orthognathic surgery, I had some serious pain in my left joint and

couldn't sleep lying down. My doc was hesitant to do anything about

it until my splint came out and I was done with elastics to bring my

back teeth together. The elastics can put strain on the joint, but

even when I no longer wore mine, I still had awful joint pain. My

doc did an arthrocentisis, which means he flushed the joint out with

a saline solution, when I was 7 weeks post from the orthognathic

surgery. It helped, though I still have joint problems. So, you're

experience isn't unique, which means that hopefully your doc will

have some options for you.

I feel I should point out that my left joint was arthritic long

before my orthognathic surgery, so all of this wasn't really a

result of the surgery, but that the surgery aggravated things.

> > > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty.

I

> > have

> > > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to

eat

> > > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> > mouth 1

> > > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has

> any

> > > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > > Thanks

> > > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

,

You have every right to be worried. I, like , have had joint

problems and multiple procedures to attempt correction, though not

as much as she has put up with (God bless her!). After my

orthognathic surgery, I had some serious pain in my left joint and

couldn't sleep lying down. My doc was hesitant to do anything about

it until my splint came out and I was done with elastics to bring my

back teeth together. The elastics can put strain on the joint, but

even when I no longer wore mine, I still had awful joint pain. My

doc did an arthrocentisis, which means he flushed the joint out with

a saline solution, when I was 7 weeks post from the orthognathic

surgery. It helped, though I still have joint problems. So, you're

experience isn't unique, which means that hopefully your doc will

have some options for you.

I feel I should point out that my left joint was arthritic long

before my orthognathic surgery, so all of this wasn't really a

result of the surgery, but that the surgery aggravated things.

> > > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty.

I

> > have

> > > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to

eat

> > > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> > mouth 1

> > > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has

> any

> > > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > > Thanks

> > > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

, I am a little over a year postop from lower and genio. Your

story sounds very similiar to mine, however, I had no known tmj

problems prior to surgery. I had the arthrocentesis done also. It

sure helped on the left side! I am currently wearing a splint that

the insurance said (verbally) they would cover and have now denied

after a medical review board has determined it " medically

unnecessary " . I was told today by the insurance rep. that I need to

start an appeal. She tried everything to get it passed through the

system since it is a covered expense in our benefits book. I can't

imagine how people like you and deal with the stress of tmj

along with the insurance issues! Lips together...teeth apart

~Cindy~

> > > > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty,

rhinoplasty.

> I

> > > have

> > > > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands

to

> eat

> > > > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> > > mouth 1

> > > > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > > > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture.

Has

> > any

> > > > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > > > Thanks

> > > > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

, I am a little over a year postop from lower and genio. Your

story sounds very similiar to mine, however, I had no known tmj

problems prior to surgery. I had the arthrocentesis done also. It

sure helped on the left side! I am currently wearing a splint that

the insurance said (verbally) they would cover and have now denied

after a medical review board has determined it " medically

unnecessary " . I was told today by the insurance rep. that I need to

start an appeal. She tried everything to get it passed through the

system since it is a covered expense in our benefits book. I can't

imagine how people like you and deal with the stress of tmj

along with the insurance issues! Lips together...teeth apart

~Cindy~

> > > > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty,

rhinoplasty.

> I

> > > have

> > > > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands

to

> eat

> > > > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> > > mouth 1

> > > > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > > > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture.

Has

> > any

> > > > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > > > Thanks

> > > > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

, I am a little over a year postop from lower and genio. Your

story sounds very similiar to mine, however, I had no known tmj

problems prior to surgery. I had the arthrocentesis done also. It

sure helped on the left side! I am currently wearing a splint that

the insurance said (verbally) they would cover and have now denied

after a medical review board has determined it " medically

unnecessary " . I was told today by the insurance rep. that I need to

start an appeal. She tried everything to get it passed through the

system since it is a covered expense in our benefits book. I can't

imagine how people like you and deal with the stress of tmj

along with the insurance issues! Lips together...teeth apart

~Cindy~

> > > > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty,

rhinoplasty.

> I

> > > have

> > > > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands

to

> eat

> > > > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> > > mouth 1

> > > > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > > > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture.

Has

> > any

> > > > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > > > Thanks

> > > > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

It sounds like you've been through a lot.

Yesterday I saw my orthodontist who said, oh tit's normal to have sore

joints for a time, he said that it occurred sometimes for months and

that when I see the surgeon next week I should ask for some jaw

exercises so we'll see...

Meanwhile I can eat a little more (still mashed) now that my splint is

out.

> > > > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty.

> I

> > > have

> > > > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to

> eat

> > > > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> > > mouth 1

> > > > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > > > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has

> > any

> > > > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > > > Thanks

> > > > from Perth, Australia

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

It sounds like you've been through a lot.

Yesterday I saw my orthodontist who said, oh tit's normal to have sore

joints for a time, he said that it occurred sometimes for months and

that when I see the surgeon next week I should ask for some jaw

exercises so we'll see...

Meanwhile I can eat a little more (still mashed) now that my splint is

out.

> > > > I am 12 days post lower jaw surgery, genioplasty, rhinoplasty.

> I

> > > have

> > > > a splint in and rubber bands. I can remove the rubber bands to

> eat

> > > > (mashed food). But my left TMJ joint is locked. I can open my

> > > mouth 1

> > > > finger width max. without sharp pain as if the left joint is

> > > > " dislocated " . I am worried this may be a permanent fixture. Has

> > any

> > > > one else experienced this after lower jaw surgery?

> > > > Thanks

> > > > from Perth, Australia