Temporalmandibular disorder: things to know as a fighter

**VikingPower** · Posted On: 1/16/2005 7:08pm

TMD (we'll call it that since it's easier) is a pretty minor thing for the most part, it's just either a sore or unaligned upper jaw so I didn't think too much of it whenever I got it three weeks ago. Now I actually have to go get oral surgery for it, which is a bitch, because that means no sparring for quite some time.

I originally thought it was just an ear infection, as there was an inordinate amount of pressure behind my left ear. I went and got it checked out after the 3rd or 4th day, and the doc told me TMD, which was no sweat I thought. Normally you just have to ice it, don't sing or yawn too much, don't spar, and take a few Advil to help the pain. You can get it from any sharp blow at the right angle, from any kind of impact. Mine was actually not from an actual punch that I know of, it just started hurting when I was at work. I'll let you guys know what else they find out, but if anyone else has those symptoms (pressure behind the ear, sore jaw, etc.) that's what you've got.

***JohnnyCache*** · Posted On: 1/17/2005 1:11am

Wow. Now I know what was wrong with me when I played football in highschool and I couldn't chew without pain in my ear for two weeks. I guess I should have gone to a doctor...

**Yrkoon9** · Posted On: 1/17/2005 1:16am

GDI now you are scaring me.

My jaw hasn't been right in years.

**VikingPower** · Posted On: 1/17/2005 9:12am

Sorry :P

**Mr. Mantis** · Posted On: 1/17/2005 9:44am

Whoa!

This is known as TMJ in the medical field. (Tempromandibular Joint Dysfunction).

How old are you Koto? I am telling you right now that if you have surgery on that little meniscus in there, it will ever be right.

Just leave it, do some PT and conservative care. At the very least, you need a second opinion. Surgery on the TMJ is serious, you could be fucked up worse.

What ever you do, think long and hard before you go under the knife on this procedure.

**VikingPower** · Posted On: 1/17/2005 10:38am

Originally Posted by Mr_Mantis

How old are you Koto? I am telling you right now that if you have surgery on that little meniscus in there, it will ever be right.

For real? I'm around my mid 20s right now. What kind of side effects could it lead to? I think it'll just be a pre-screening on Thursday but today I go and pick up my X-rays from my dentist (he's been my dentist for years, and pretty irritated about all the stuff that happens to me :)) I'll ask him as well. I'll also do some looking around on the Web. Many thanks Mantis.

**j416to** · Posted On: 1/17/2005 10:41am

Koto_Ryu

TMJ is really serious, and as Mr. Mantis has pointed out, there isn't conclusive evidence that ANY treatment really works. Before you do anything irreversible, you should get a second and third opinion. The National Institue of Health now advocates against things like surgery.

Good luck!

Irreversible Treatments

Irreversible treatments should be avoided when possible and not rushed into. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, most irreversible treatments are of little value-and may make the problem worse. These include orthodontics to change the bite, occlusal adjustment, and grinding down teeth to bring the bite into balance. A mandibular repositioning splint (often referred to as an orthotic) is also considered an irreversible treatment. The safety and efficacy of most TMJ treatments, including TMJ surgeries and jaw implants, have not been demonstrated in clinical trials. Scientists strongly recommend using reversible treatments before considering invasive treatments. Even when the TMJ problem has become chronic, most patients still do not need invasive types of treatment.

**j416to** · Posted On: 1/17/2005 10:46am

A friend of mine had TMJ. Her Denstist suggested changing her bite with a dental appliance and some minor surgery. After a couple of years the change in the bite pressure cracked open the joint at the end of her jaw. She had to have major surgery to rebuild her jaw, really brutal.

Be careful.

**Mr. Mantis** · Posted On: 1/17/2005 10:48am

Koto, I think you are too young for surgery. Side effects include irreversible pain and discomfort in your jaw joint for the rest of your life. I have serious doubts that the meniscectomy really works. All I hear are complaints. If the surgery does work for you, I am willing to bet you will be worse off in 10 years.

Research this heavily.