Just got the results of my MRI - not good - MINIRASCAL!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi all. I know this doesn't apply to most people out here on the

board, but I'm going through a really down time right now. I have had

many benefits from my orthognathic surgery, but my left jaw joint was

arthritic before that, so some of my problems have continued.

I love medical jargon (that's sarcasm, big time), but here is what the

results of my MRI were three years ago before I had any sort of jaw

surgery:

" Findings: On the right, the position of the disc in the closed and

the open mouth position is normal. There is not evidence for

subluxation or dislocation. Condyle appears satisfactory. On the

left, in the closed position I do believe there is anterior

displacement of the disc. In the open position, there is reduction of

the disc. It does appear though that the degree of translation

observed on the left is a little more limited than on the right.

Examination I believe is otherwise satisfactory " .

Okay, so fast forward three years (an arthroscopy, two arthrocentisis,

upper and lower orthognathic surgery and about a year of post-op):

" Findings: On the left: The TMJ disc is globular and abnormal in

morphology. The disc is anteriorly subluxed in a close mouth

position. There is globular disc material anterior to the mandibular

condyle in an open mouth position, without distinct visualization of

the posterior horn, potentially reflecting persistant anterior

displacement without reduction or less likely ill-defined degeneration

of the posterior horn with reduction. There is a small marginal

osteophyte formation over the anterior-surperior aspect of the left

mandibular condyle. There is flattening of the articular surface on

the left mandibular condyle, most notably along its lateral aspect.

Left TMJ degenerative changes as described have increased compared

with [MRI from three years ago]

" On the right: There is mild anterior subluxation of the TMJ disc in a

close mouth position that reduces in an open mouth position. There is

a mild ill-defined increased signal intensity in the posterior band of

the disc, consistent with mild ill-defined degeneration.

" The TMJ range of motion is mildly greater on the right than the left. "

I haven't heard from my regular oral surgeon yet to translate all

this, but there are some obvious changes for the negative. Guys, I'm

just so scared what things are going to be like in another three

years. I am so frustrated with this whole process. I was diagnosed

with TMJ disorder nine years ago and all it has done is gotten

progressively worse. I know the pain could be worse. I don't expect

a cure, but I would be very happy if there were some way to stop

things from further degeneration. I usually don't post this late at

night, but I'm having a rough go of it. As most people, I have my

good times and my bad. This bad will pass, but the further down the

TMJ treatment path I go, the fewer answers there seem to be.

Thank God I have an appointment next Wednesday with a TMJ specialist

whom my regular oral surgeon referred me to. I do not expect him to

have any answers for me, but I feel like I have to grasp at whatever

threads I can to try and at least retain what good there is left in my

TMJs.

I do not regret anything I've had done as each procedure has revealed

some benefits, but I'm getting so tired of all of this. I apologize

for venting and strongly caution pre-opers from thinking they'll end

up like me because that is very likely not going to be the case. I

guess this has just become a community of sorts to me and I'm feeling

the need to have that community around me at this particular moment in

my TMJ journey.

What a birthday present all this fun stuff is.

Tomorrow will be a new day, hopefully one with fewer tears.

[Guest guest]

,

Very sorry to hear this! All I know - the most efficient solution

for serious TMJ problems is a TMJ surgery, which absolutely depends

on the surgeons expertise and skills, as TMJ is the most complex

joint in our body. There are only a few in USA who are really good,

an should you deside on it, it is paramount to get a really good one.

Val

is

> Hi all. I know this doesn't apply to most people out here on the

> board, but I'm going through a really down time right now. I have

had

> many benefits from my orthognathic surgery, but my left jaw joint

was

> arthritic before that, so some of my problems have continued.

>

> I love medical jargon (that's sarcasm, big time), but here is what

the

> results of my MRI were three years ago before I had any sort of jaw

> surgery:

> " Findings: On the right, the position of the disc in the closed and

> the open mouth position is normal. There is not evidence for

> subluxation or dislocation. Condyle appears satisfactory. On the

> left, in the closed position I do believe there is anterior

> displacement of the disc. In the open position, there is reduction

of

> the disc. It does appear though that the degree of translation

> observed on the left is a little more limited than on the right.

> Examination I believe is otherwise satisfactory " .

>

> Okay, so fast forward three years (an arthroscopy, two

arthrocentisis,

> upper and lower orthognathic surgery and about a year of post-op):

> " Findings: On the left: The TMJ disc is globular and abnormal in

> morphology. The disc is anteriorly subluxed in a close mouth

> position. There is globular disc material anterior to the

mandibular

> condyle in an open mouth position, without distinct visualization of

> the posterior horn, potentially reflecting persistant anterior

> displacement without reduction or less likely ill-defined

degeneration

> of the posterior horn with reduction. There is a small marginal

> osteophyte formation over the anterior-surperior aspect of the left

> mandibular condyle. There is flattening of the articular surface on

> the left mandibular condyle, most notably along its lateral aspect.

> Left TMJ degenerative changes as described have increased compared

> with [MRI from three years ago]

>

> " On the right: There is mild anterior subluxation of the TMJ disc

in a

> close mouth position that reduces in an open mouth position. There

is

> a mild ill-defined increased signal intensity in the posterior band

of

> the disc, consistent with mild ill-defined degeneration.

>

> " The TMJ range of motion is mildly greater on the right than the

left. "

>

> I haven't heard from my regular oral surgeon yet to translate all

> this, but there are some obvious changes for the negative. Guys,

I'm

> just so scared what things are going to be like in another three

> years. I am so frustrated with this whole process. I was diagnosed

> with TMJ disorder nine years ago and all it has done is gotten

> progressively worse. I know the pain could be worse. I don't

expect

> a cure, but I would be very happy if there were some way to stop

> things from further degeneration. I usually don't post this late at

> night, but I'm having a rough go of it. As most people, I have my

> good times and my bad. This bad will pass, but the further down the

> TMJ treatment path I go, the fewer answers there seem to be.

>

> Thank God I have an appointment next Wednesday with a TMJ specialist

> whom my regular oral surgeon referred me to. I do not expect him to

> have any answers for me, but I feel like I have to grasp at whatever

> threads I can to try and at least retain what good there is left in

my

> TMJs.

>

> I do not regret anything I've had done as each procedure has

revealed

> some benefits, but I'm getting so tired of all of this. I apologize

> for venting and strongly caution pre-opers from thinking they'll end

> up like me because that is very likely not going to be the case. I

> guess this has just become a community of sorts to me and I'm

feeling

> the need to have that community around me at this particular moment

in

> my TMJ journey.

>

> What a birthday present all this fun stuff is.

>

> Tomorrow will be a new day, hopefully one with fewer tears.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I have the same problem. Both my condoyles seem to be very messed

up. My OS said that if it were a different OS, they would probably

do joint replacements, but he said that some people could go on with

their lives without it and that's the chance he feels that I should

take unless i absolutely need it. He diagnosed me with degenerative

joint disease. He doesn't want to do an MRI anytime soon, but plans

too once I am 'healed' enough. Good luck to ya. I'm just scared to

even have the MRI done b/c I know the results aren't going to be

good. Will keep ya posted should I find anything further. But just

wanted you to know that you're not alone.

-T

> Hi all. I know this doesn't apply to most people out here on the

> board, but I'm going through a really down time right now. I have

had

> many benefits from my orthognathic surgery, but my left jaw joint

was

> arthritic before that, so some of my problems have continued.

>

> I love medical jargon (that's sarcasm, big time), but here is what

the

> results of my MRI were three years ago before I had any sort of jaw

> surgery:

> " Findings: On the right, the position of the disc in the closed and

> the open mouth position is normal. There is not evidence for

> subluxation or dislocation. Condyle appears satisfactory. On the

> left, in the closed position I do believe there is anterior

> displacement of the disc. In the open position, there is

reduction of

> the disc. It does appear though that the degree of translation

> observed on the left is a little more limited than on the right.

> Examination I believe is otherwise satisfactory " .

>

> Okay, so fast forward three years (an arthroscopy, two

arthrocentisis,

> upper and lower orthognathic surgery and about a year of post-op):

> " Findings: On the left: The TMJ disc is globular and abnormal in

> morphology. The disc is anteriorly subluxed in a close mouth

> position. There is globular disc material anterior to the

mandibular

> condyle in an open mouth position, without distinct visualization

of

> the posterior horn, potentially reflecting persistant anterior

> displacement without reduction or less likely ill-defined

degeneration

> of the posterior horn with reduction. There is a small marginal

> osteophyte formation over the anterior-surperior aspect of the left

> mandibular condyle. There is flattening of the articular surface

on

> the left mandibular condyle, most notably along its lateral

aspect.

> Left TMJ degenerative changes as described have increased compared

> with [MRI from three years ago]

>

> " On the right: There is mild anterior subluxation of the TMJ disc

in a

> close mouth position that reduces in an open mouth position.

There is

> a mild ill-defined increased signal intensity in the posterior

band of

> the disc, consistent with mild ill-defined degeneration.

>

> " The TMJ range of motion is mildly greater on the right than the

left. "

>

> I haven't heard from my regular oral surgeon yet to translate all

> this, but there are some obvious changes for the negative. Guys,

I'm

> just so scared what things are going to be like in another three

> years. I am so frustrated with this whole process. I was

diagnosed

> with TMJ disorder nine years ago and all it has done is gotten

> progressively worse. I know the pain could be worse. I don't

expect

> a cure, but I would be very happy if there were some way to stop

> things from further degeneration. I usually don't post this late

at

> night, but I'm having a rough go of it. As most people, I have my

> good times and my bad. This bad will pass, but the further down

the

> TMJ treatment path I go, the fewer answers there seem to be.

>

> Thank God I have an appointment next Wednesday with a TMJ

specialist

> whom my regular oral surgeon referred me to. I do not expect him

to

> have any answers for me, but I feel like I have to grasp at

whatever

> threads I can to try and at least retain what good there is left

in my

> TMJs.

>

> I do not regret anything I've had done as each procedure has

revealed

> some benefits, but I'm getting so tired of all of this. I

apologize

> for venting and strongly caution pre-opers from thinking they'll

end

> up like me because that is very likely not going to be the case. I

> guess this has just become a community of sorts to me and I'm

feeling

> the need to have that community around me at this particular

moment in

> my TMJ journey.

>

> What a birthday present all this fun stuff is.

>

> Tomorrow will be a new day, hopefully one with fewer tears.

>

>

[Guest guest]

T and Val,

Thanks for the support. Today is continuing to be an emotional

day. I really wish my oral surgeon would call and offer some

explanation of what the MRI findings mean for the day-to-day

function of my jaw. I can sort of guess at what some things mean

based on my own language background, but he's the sort of doctor who

doesn't use medical terms unless he has to - I mean I was the one

who asked him, " so, am I having a LeForte procedure? " to which he

replied, " yes, the upper surgery is called a LeForte I. " I don't

even know if he's seen the radiologist's report (HIPAA sucks). I

did call his office yesterday, and the woman I spoke with said she'd

call to let me know if the doc received it, but I haven't heard back

from her, and I do not want to be a pest.

I'm glad I have the appointment with the specialist, but I could

really use a sort of crutch to help me limp to next Wednesday.

Again, thanks for the support. I'm trying very hard to keep my chin

up (hah - what an expression!).

> > Hi all. I know this doesn't apply to most people out here on the

> > board, but I'm going through a really down time right now. I

have

> had

> > many benefits from my orthognathic surgery, but my left jaw

joint

> was

> > arthritic before that, so some of my problems have continued.

> >

> > I love medical jargon (that's sarcasm, big time), but here is

what

> the

> > results of my MRI were three years ago before I had any sort of

jaw

> > surgery:

> > " Findings: On the right, the position of the disc in the closed

and

> > the open mouth position is normal. There is not evidence for

> > subluxation or dislocation. Condyle appears satisfactory. On

the

> > left, in the closed position I do believe there is anterior

> > displacement of the disc. In the open position, there is

> reduction of

> > the disc. It does appear though that the degree of translation

> > observed on the left is a little more limited than on the right.

> > Examination I believe is otherwise satisfactory " .

> >

> > Okay, so fast forward three years (an arthroscopy, two

> arthrocentisis,

> > upper and lower orthognathic surgery and about a year of post-

op):

> > " Findings: On the left: The TMJ disc is globular and abnormal in

> > morphology. The disc is anteriorly subluxed in a close mouth

> > position. There is globular disc material anterior to the

> mandibular

> > condyle in an open mouth position, without distinct

visualization

> of

> > the posterior horn, potentially reflecting persistant anterior

> > displacement without reduction or less likely ill-defined

> degeneration

> > of the posterior horn with reduction. There is a small marginal

> > osteophyte formation over the anterior-surperior aspect of the

left

> > mandibular condyle. There is flattening of the articular

surface

> on

> > the left mandibular condyle, most notably along its lateral

> aspect.

> > Left TMJ degenerative changes as described have increased

compared

> > with [MRI from three years ago]

> >

> > " On the right: There is mild anterior subluxation of the TMJ

disc

> in a

> > close mouth position that reduces in an open mouth position.

> There is

> > a mild ill-defined increased signal intensity in the posterior

> band of

> > the disc, consistent with mild ill-defined degeneration.

> >

> > " The TMJ range of motion is mildly greater on the right than the

> left. "

> >

> > I haven't heard from my regular oral surgeon yet to translate all

> > this, but there are some obvious changes for the negative.

Guys,

> I'm

> > just so scared what things are going to be like in another three

> > years. I am so frustrated with this whole process. I was

> diagnosed

> > with TMJ disorder nine years ago and all it has done is gotten

> > progressively worse. I know the pain could be worse. I don't

> expect

> > a cure, but I would be very happy if there were some way to stop

> > things from further degeneration. I usually don't post this

late

> at

> > night, but I'm having a rough go of it. As most people, I have

my

> > good times and my bad. This bad will pass, but the further down

> the

> > TMJ treatment path I go, the fewer answers there seem to be.

> >

> > Thank God I have an appointment next Wednesday with a TMJ

> specialist

> > whom my regular oral surgeon referred me to. I do not expect

him

> to

> > have any answers for me, but I feel like I have to grasp at

> whatever

> > threads I can to try and at least retain what good there is left

> in my

> > TMJs.

> >

> > I do not regret anything I've had done as each procedure has

> revealed

> > some benefits, but I'm getting so tired of all of this. I

> apologize

> > for venting and strongly caution pre-opers from thinking they'll

> end

> > up like me because that is very likely not going to be the

case. I

> > guess this has just become a community of sorts to me and I'm

> feeling

> > the need to have that community around me at this particular

> moment in

> > my TMJ journey.

> >

> > What a birthday present all this fun stuff is.

> >

> > Tomorrow will be a new day, hopefully one with fewer tears.

> >

> >