If you’ve been suffering from lockjaw, limited movement, or jaw pain due to TMJ disorders, an arthroscopy can be your solution. You may have stumbled across the term TMJ arthroscopy while searching for answers. Although it may sound scary, TMJ arthroscopy is a safe and minimally invasive procedure. It is performed by TMJ doctors for diagnosing and treating internal joint problems. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have been experiencing TMJ-related symptoms for some time, learning about this procedure is probably the first step towards obtaining some relief that lasts.
In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about TMJ arthroscopy.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where your lower jaw connects to your skull. It’s one of the most complicated joints in your body. It allows your jaw to move up and down and side to side so you can (oh, the joy of being human!) chew, talk and yawn.
However, when this joint becomes inflamed, is misaligned, or is damaged, it can cause a number of issues such as, jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, limited movement (lockjaw), headaches, muscle stiffness around the face and neck. TMJ specialists try arthroscopy as a precise treatment option.
TMJ arthroscopy is a minimally invasive method to visualize the inside of the jaw joint in order to help diagnose and treat TMJ conditions. Unlike open procedures, which require a large incision, arthroscopy uses a thin instrument called an arthroscope, or a small camera, that is inserted into the joint through a small incision. There is no open cut or scaring with arthroscopy.
This allows the TMJ surgeon to:
The use of arthroscopy allows all of these steps to be performed without the need for a major incision. Therefore, the patient has less operative time, quicker recovery, and fewer complications.
TMJ arthroscopy may be offered to people who have persistent jaw discomfort and stiffness that hasn’t been fixed with conservative options. If they have frequent occurrences of lockjaw. They have internal joint problems, such as inflammation, cartilage damage, or displaced discs. Patient that need a precise diagnosis to start advanced treatment plans
So they question us, why choose TMJ arthroscopy? Unlike general treatment options, TMJ arthroscopy isolates and addresses the internal root causes of your problems within the joint. For many patients, it results in pain relief, better jaw mobility, less inflammation and avoidance of more invasive procedures
And since Dr. Luis is only focusing on the mechanical causes of TMJ dysfunction — as opposed to temporary solutions and/or unrelated therapies — patients receive treatment that is built for long-term, effective usage.
TMJ arthroscopy is an innovative and effective solution for people who suffer from chronic jaw problems. This is a specialty joint procedure performed by trained TMJ professionals like Dr. Luis, who understand the complicated biomechanics of the jaw.
If your jaw feels locked and is painful, you don’t have to continue to suffer in silence. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Luis to see if TMJ arthroscopy is your next step.