Tmj Osteoarthritis

[Hopeb414]

Hello! Does anyone have tmj osteoarthritis? I am only 21 (an elementary teacher, so I talk alllll day) and am wondering what the prognosis is. My right tmj joint began clicking 10 months ago and has been locked since...anterior disc displacement without reduction. I have been diagnosed with early osteoarthritis on the left side. Not sure what caused it and my specialist now believe both my joint discs are out of place. My tmj specialist said he’s putting me in a splint to prevent further damage and that I’m not a surgery candidate at the moment. I’m just wondering if anyone has used conservative treatment for osteoarthritis? I don’t want surgery...I appreciate the input, thank you!!!

[Gnarli]

Hi Hopeb414. Luckily I'm glad to say I don't get this. This forum is for those with Rheumatoid Disease so perhaps if you try the osteo Healthunlocked site Arthritis Action they may have some good experience to share. Wishing you well

[Hopeb414 in reply to Gnarli]

Oops I’m sorry! I posted on the wrong one. I just found the osteoarthritis action page. Thank you so much!

[Gnarli in reply to Hopeb414]

No problem. I hope that forum helps

J

[Hidden]

Hi Hope, I started to get a clicking, crunching and locking jaw when I was only fourteen years old. I am now in my sixties and haven't had surgery done. I have also been told it is a TMJ jaw and that there is osteoarthritis there. It varies a lot, sometimes not causing any trouble and at other times, being very painful to eat and talk. I have so many other health problems that, like you I don't want to have surgery for it. My son who is in his twenties has also started to have a clicky jaw as well. When it is at it's worst I have found that holding a heat pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel over it helps.

[Hopeb414 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much! This is encouraging to hear. I appreciate your response. I have been worried about how it will be years down the road but it sounds like for you it hasn’t really gotten any worse. I’m glad to hear you didn’t need surgery do you wear any type of splint?

[Hidden in reply to Hopeb414]

So glad I have been of help to you Hope. It certainly hasn't got any worse over the years. I don't wear a splint. The only thing I have ever worn is a mouth guard over my bottom row of teeth at night time because I sometimes bite my tongue in my sleep and that could be caused by my mouth snapping shut when I am asleep and I don't realise it.

I have sometimes had quite bad earache from it. I was going to an ENT surgery and they couldn't make out why my ear was aching. Then the doctor put his hands over my jaw and asked me to open my mouth. When I did it gave a huge crunch and he said that was the reason for the ear ache. It is only now and again that I get earache from it. I sometimes wake up with a bad pain in my ear, but find that if I massage my jaw for a few minutes it usually goes away. I don't think you have anything to worry about. xx