- Re: Surgeon Wants to Stretch Jaw Muscle

[Guest guest]

:

Thanks for your reply! My OS started me doing the following PT

exercises at one-week post-op: open my mouth as wide as possible to

stretch it, move my jaw from side to side, and move my jaw forward as

much as possible. I don't actually work with a physical therapist. He

gave me these exercises to do after he took off my rubber bands. He

had planned to do the stretching of my jaw joint at my second week

post-op visit (last Wednesday) until I asked him for another week. He

then gave me 17 tongue depressors and told me I needed to get all 17

in my mouth by my third post-op visit (Weds., Aug. 10). But I think he

knows I won't be able to do it. I'm only at 12 sticks now, and I don't

see any way to get all 17 in by next Wednesday. I think he was just

being nice to give me another week. He said he'll only knock me out

for a few minutes to do the stretching. I assumed I would end up with

soreness for the rest of the day - which you've confirmed in talking

about being in a lot of pain after your stretching. So, I'll make sure

I take pain meds with me.

On my first post-op visit, after he removed the bands, I couldn't even

get one finger in. Now I can get two fingers in - he wants three by

next Wednesday and I just don't see any way I can make it there.

Did you have to have multiple jaw surgeries because something went

wrong? Did that lead to you being unable to chew well for so many

years? I haven't heard of anyone needing more than two surgeries - and

that's only if they do the upper and lower at different times. He's

concerned about scar tissue forming and permanently limiting my range

of jaw muscle motion and mouth opening.

Take care,

Pam

> > Hi all!

> > I had lower jaw surgery 17 days ago, and I have a question about

> > stretching. My OS had me in rubber bands for 8 days, and then

when

> he

> > cut them off, he said I wasn't opening my mouth nearly wide

> enough. He

> > gave me PT exercises to do and said he would put me under and

> stretch

> > my jaw muscle joint if I had not gotten my mouth to open three

> fingers

> > by Wednesday, Aug. 3. When I went in for the Aug. 3 appointment, I

> > asked him for another week to do exercises to see how much I

> > progressed because I had gotten my mouth to open two fingers. He

> > agreed, but felt sure he would need to stretch me on my next

> > appointment - Wednesday, Aug. 10. Has anyone had this done?

What's

> it

> > like? Did your OS also knock you out to do it, or did s/he do it

> while

> > you were awake?

> > I'd appreciate any information.

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Pam