I actually have a cook book that ive sent out to some other people with this question. if you want i can send it to you or i can post them here. I think it would be a good idea to share all our recepies. ill get on that tomorrow--hopefully ill remember to bring the book:P Your opening is good. 35-40mm is normal--better than most people. I open at 28 and with exercises i can get to 38-40. i used to open at 19 or less---i dont think you are locked--you just have that ssensation. i know that sounds confusing. pm me if you need anything.---if you need a good doc. i can also help with that.

My opening was 56mm before the surgery and probably more than that before my TMJ problems. The right side of my jaw clearly is much more restricted than before. Can you explain what you mean? When doctors tell you that you have anteriorally displaced discs without reduction, doesn't that mean your jaw is locked?

no--it just means that your discs are in front of the condyle. ar you doing your roms? you need to keep doing it if you dont well you will not get the best out of your surgery. When did you have this surgery and what was done?

I started a thread(its the top sticky) for recepies. everyone feel free to share---i made it a sticky so that it wouldnt get burried

Is there a specific way to measure this?

If your discs are preventing your jaw from opening, then you are locked, correct? Or if there are adhesives that are preventing your jaw from opening, then you are locked, correct? I'm not sure I know what you mean when you say that I "just have the sensation" that I am locked. Both of my oral surgeons say I'm locked.

What are roms?

I had an arthrocentesis. That's what caused my jaw to lock up. I was told that it would only help my jaw or keep it the same. The surgeon said that in over 100 that he has done, this is the only time anyone's jaw has ever locked.

range of motion exercises. artho is not really worth doing. MOst surgeons dont look for the real cause. there were things that were wrong that the other surgeons missed(ive been to 3) that was causing the sensation fo being locked.

Webo--

I think what Dyan is trying to say is that most of us wouldn't consider you to be "locked." Maybe your oral surgeon is using that term...but honestly, I think he just means that you're "locked at 35mm." Does that make sense?? In other words, there is simply no way you can move past 35mm, because your dislocated discs prevent you from doing so. (I'm just using the 35mm as an example, I know you might be able to open a little more on good days.)

ANYWAY, my point is that most of us on here don't consider 35mm to be a true "closed lock." As Dyan pointed out, that is the normal range for many people! And most surgeons consider 35mm to be the ideal opening after surgery, and is what they aim for. I really really really hate to sound like a know-it-all here...but seriously, if you have such a good opening right now, that is only one more GOOD reason to back away from surgery!!!! Hang in there, you'll get through this!!

Thanks for replying. I understand what you're saying. I guess what I'm saying is that 35mm was not the goal with this "surgery," if you want to call it that (he called it a "minor procedure"), and it was a very unexpected result. It was an absolute shock to me (and to him) that my opening was reduced 21mm. I would have NEVER even considered this procedure if I knew there was even a chance this could happen.

Yes, I know many surgeons call arthrocentesis a "minor procedure", and that bothers me. It is less invasive than arthroscopy and arthroplasty...but it's STILL invasive. And you are not the first person who has had undesirable results from arthrocentesis, believe me on that one. I really, really try to stay unbiased when people post...but in your case, I feel very strongly about this: For now, stick to CONSERVATIVE treatments. Your function is still pretty good. I know you're not used to a smaller opening, so it feels frustrating to you, but your function truly could be a lot worse. If you stick with conservative treatments, and do your ROMs like Dyan suggested, then there is a good chance that your opening will increase more. It may not go back to 56mm (who knows for sure), but either way, surgery is not the "cure-all" that some people expect it to be. I don't want to seem like I'm playing doctor or trying to sound discouraging, but it just doesn't seem that surgery would be justified in your case. Also, you said your pain isn't too severe, so try to manage it with a soft diet and possibly medications, heat, ice, relaxation, etc.

Maggie,
I think you are right. Conservative is good right now.
Dyan mentioned the ROMs. How do I do them?

You move your jaw in the natural way that you would open it. up and down side to side. you slide to the right as far as you can--give a finger assist to push a little further and hold for 5 seconds(do this five times.) then go to the left and do the same thing--then open as far as you can--give a finger assist to open a little further and hold for 5 seconds(do this 5 times.) use ice before and heat after--it will make it easier and feel better:)

Is there any danger in doing these ROMs? My first OS said that the discs could tear away, leaving me with bone on bone -- which he said wasn't good. My second OS disagreed with this. Confusing.

no there is no danger---beleive me i was in the same shoes. if it hurts too bad and you feel that you are in danger of doing such stop and only go to the point that it doesnt feel like that