I got the results ofmy MRI and would
appreciate any feedback. Theoral surgeon
said that I had degenerative arthritis and
that the only thing they could do was
physical therapy exercises. (He told me to
lethim know if I found one and he would
write the orders--nice guy, huh!)
Does anyone else have TMJ caused by this?
I suppose it will only get worse and
worse? My mouth is very stiffnow--no pain
but stiffnes when my jaws locked up.
I would appreciate any information you
have. Thank you.
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catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 10-03-07 12:41pm
Hi Becky50,
I developed DJD after many years of having
TMJ. I also have the problem in other
joints as well unfortunately. I
personally believe you should be wearing a
bite splint to keep the jaw joint itself
"open." I don't know if I can explain
what I mean well enough - I'll try - the
jaw joint (where the condyle rests and
moves from when eating, etc.) needs to
have a certain amount of space. A bite
splint can help stabilize the joint
spacing. I hope I explained that well
enough.
Physical Therapy is good to keep the
joints functioning as they should. Call
the places around your area and ask them
questions about if any of their therapists
are specially trained in TMJ, etc. Then
get your doc to write the referral. They
should teach you exercises, heat wrap
around neck, ultrasound and/or TENS,
massage, etc.
Help yourself at home too by eating a
softer foods diet, less talking,
exercises, ibuprofen for pain and
swelling, lots of moist heat and ice
interchangeably, and add Super Vitamin B
Complex and Magnesium to your diet. Try
and keep your stress level as low as
possible and evaluate your posture
especially while in front of a computer
screen (check out nismat.org/ptcor/tmj for
pics & info). You can try Glucosamine
(it doesn't help me) and if the pain get
too much, ask for a muscle relaxant to
keep in the house for those bad flare-ups
you might experience and something like
Lodine or even Vicoprofen.
We just have to be careful with our mouth
and jaw now that we have DJD and TMJ. I
hope you find the perfect dentist (to make
a bite splint) and a good PT.
God bless...
Carol
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Becky50
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 8
Degenerative Arthritis Posted: 10-03-07 17:00pm
Thank you Carol. I printed out the
information. What is DJD? This is a
confusing disease so I really appreciate
your input.
