I went to a Physicians Assistant at our local urgent care for an ear infection the other day and he diagnosed me with TMJ. My jaw has always popped when I chew. It doesn't pop all the time and it has never been painful. I noticed occasionally that my ear would hurt but always seemed to be fine the next day. I had braces to correct crooked teeth and he did adjust my bite but the orthodontist never said I had TMJ .. my braces were removed a year ago.

Anyway, the PA diagnosed me by looking in my ear, he saw nothing, and feeling the joint in front of my ear. That was it! But, since my visit, my ear has gotten worse. It feels swollen inside, itches, drains a little liquid randomly and hurts in the same area as the joint. Sometimes it feels like a jabbing pain deep inside. But, my jaw doesn't hurt. I can open it wide and swing it from side to side without pain.

I was trying to see if I needed to see an ENT then I found a site that associated my symptoms with TMJ and it kinda scared me. I just hope it is an ear infection!