Re: Introduction + anyone here have TMJ replacement joint - To

[Guest guest]

Hi, actually I don't have artificial joints. Mine were reconstructed

using distraction osteogenesis. My surgeon advised against the

artificial joints, especially at my age. He says patients like me

tend to do better with distraction than the artificial joints, i.e.

better function and less pain. Since it is my own native bone and

cartilage, it theoretically should last longer especially by staying

on anti-arthritis medication. He does do a lot of artificial joints

as well. He told me the name but I don't remember. TMJ concepts

sounds familiar. Using a CT scan, they are able to make a 3D model

of your skull and then custom make an artificial joint to fit it.

This is a web site that demonstrates distraction osteogenesis.

Basically my jaw looked the Class IIB but on both sides.

http://www.klsmartin.com/MOD-line/molina.htm

I don't regret having the orthognathic surgery first. Most people

who have orthognathic surgery actually see improvement in their TMJ

symptoms so that is what we were hoping for in the beginning. I was

in the minority of people whose joints got worse after correcting

their bites. Once you have any procedures done on your joints, they

will never be the same. Function-wise, I'm still not back to where I

was before but I'm slowly getting there. I think after correcting

the open bite, I'll more function still.

For me, I still don't think it was a mistake going through all these

surgeries. My joints were deteriorating, the surgeries just sped up

the process. The longer I waited, the harder it would be to fix.

Maybe if I had had everything done 10 or 20 years ago, then I

wouldn't be in as a bad situation as I am.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > ,

> > > Thank you so much for your response. Since this appointment

was my

> > > first, the OS and I didn't go into all of the details of

exactly

> > what

> > > the best course of action would be. In fact, I guess it wasn't

> > > completely clear that he would do all of the procedures at one

> > time.

> > > Although that was implied.

> > >

> > > Right now, I am going to see a Rhumatologist to figure out all

of

> > the

> > > details on the arthritis - managing it. Also, he wants me to

get

> > the

> > > sleep apnea test. Lastly, I have a prescription for an MRI.

He

> > said

> > > with those bits of information we can further decide how to

> > proceed.

> > >

> > > He did say that I had other options besides the complete joint

> > > replacement - I think similar to what you had, he said I could

do

> > just

> > > an upper jaw surgery that *would* get my teeth together, but

> > wouldn't

> > > address the other concerns of deteriorating joints and severely

> > > constricted airway. I am also young - only 27, and I have

concerns

> > > about the total joint replacement. Repeating this procedure

every

> > 10

> > > years is *not* appealing. I have no pain, currently, which my

OS

> > said

> > > was unusual due to the extent of my jaw deterioration. My TMJ

> > joints

> > > were narrower then the width of a pencil. My OS seemed to

feel

> > that

> > > doing one surgery might be better then doing several, and I do

see

> > the

> > > rationale in this. He said the fact that I am young and

healthy,

> > and

> > > haven't had other procedures done was to my advantage.

> > >

> > > I am wondering where you had the surgery done? Also, how long

ago

> > did

> > > you have the joint replacement? And you had the first

procedure a

> > > year before that? I am just trying to imagine what your

timeline

> > of

> > > procedures has been.

> > >

> > > Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my post. I'm

sure I

> > > will have lots more questions in the next several months!

> > >

> > >