The TMJ, also known as the temporomandibular joint, connects the lower jaw to the skull. Many people never think about jaw joint pain, but when it's not working correctly, it can have severe impacts on life.

But what difficulties can you actually face? A damaged jaw joint is painful and can make it difficult to eat or speak. Most disorders can be easily treated with non surgical treatment for TMJ. Treatment can include resting the joint, using ice and heat therapies, and using a mouth guard. Less stress is also recommended because sometimes stress is the cause of this disease.

On the other hand, not all patients are the same, and that's why, in severe conditions, non-surgical treatment doesn't work, and you need to undergo surgery to treat your TMJ disorder. So, if you are about to undergo surgery, I have created a guide on things you need before TMJ surgery to help in a successful treatment.

What is TMJ?

A lot of people are curious to know what TMJ is. TMJ is the temporomandibular joint that hinges your jaws at the front of your ears on both sides of your mouth. The jaw extends from your mandible, your lower jaw, to the area around the temple. This joint is responsible for helping you perform various functions, including chewing and talking efficiently. Sometimes, it is also prone to musculoskeletal pain, known as TMD joint disorder.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disease?

TMJ issues cause a lot of problems. Some common symptoms that badly affect your daily activities include.

  • Headaches
  • Stiffness
  • Jaw pain
  • Ear pain
  • Locked jaw
  • Trouble chewing

What causes TMJ joint disorder?

There can be various reasons behind your TMJ joint disorder. The most common reason is because your joints are repeatedly stressed. Some more common reasons are:

  • Stress in life
  • Jaw injury
  • Arthritis
  • Clenching your jaw
  • Teeth grinding
  • Improved jaw alignment.

Types of procedures

There are different types of surgeries for TMJ disorder, but the kind of surgery depends on your condition. Here are a few common treatments.

Arthrocentesis

TMJ arthrocentesis is performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area around your joints. Once your jaw area is numbed, the surgeon will insert the needle into the joint. After that, your surgeon will flush out your joint with the help of a saline solution. In some cases, the surgeon may also need to adjust the jaw, which significantly removes scar tissue. The treatment will usually require 20 minutes per joint; after that, you can go home the same day.

Arthroscopy

TMJ arthroscopy is also a less invasive treatment. In this treatment, your surgeon will make a small incision in front of your ear. A metal will tube containing cameras will be inserted. The cameras will help the surgeon identify what is happening inside your joint. If any damage is found, they will repair it. This is a short-term treatment; you can go home on the same day.

Open Joint Surgery

Open joint surgery is where an incision is made to access your joint directly. Afterwards, the surgeon can perform various operations depending on your severity and seriousness. Open joint surgery is mainly used for repair, repositioning, and replacement of the disc in your jaw joint. Depending on the severity of your case, the treatment can take 1-2 hours. The surgery mostly requires anesthesia, and that's why you need to stay overnight in a hospital. You can go home the next day of the treatment.

Recovery From TMJ Surgery

The recovery from TMJ surgery is completely dependent on the type of procedure and any complications during or after surgery. Arthrocentesis and arthroscopy can be treated within a few days after the surgery, while open joint surgery is more invasive and will take several weeks to fully heal.

Healing

After your surgery, you may experience pain, swelling, and bruising immediately afterwards. The prescribed medication can help in healing your pain, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. Your surgeon may recommend using an ice pack when you are feeling uncomfortable. In addition, you can also use a hot pack after 48 hours. You will be recommended to keep your head elevated when resting, which can also help in reducing swelling.

Changes in your bite and stiffness in the joint may be experienced, but they will resolve over time. Physical therapy is also recommended after 48 hours of surgery.  

Conclusion

Before you undergo any surgery, it is essential to know what you can experience after the treatment and what type of treatment you can accept. This will give you an idea of how much pain you have to tolerate and how many days it will take to cure.