Hi louise,

i am not familiar with the procedures that you mention here for tmj. If you mean cleaning out the tmj joint rather than muscles, I believe that is called arthrocentesis. I am a tmj sufferer (not a doctor) of over 25 years who has done a lot of research and seen many different kinds of "specialists" over the years. I looked into having the arthrocentesis procedure (or surgery as it is called sometimes) a couple of years back and could not find one person that it helped, so I did not have it done. Unfortunately, I have not found any surgeries for tmj to be helpful.

Bite splints, physical/massage therapy, moist heat or ice, relaxation methods, anti-depressants, pain medications, posture correction and a few other methods (all sadly of the dreaded word, "conservative") seem to be about the only way to help tmj.

I do strongly believe that tmj is "curable" and/or manageable, though, so don't discouraged. Do all the research you can and become as knowledgeable as possible. Don't make any emotional decisions and ask lots of questions from any and all tmj "specialists" you see. See several different dentists, etc. But I strongly urge you or anyone else with tmj problems to keep any treatments done simple, conservative, reversible and least invasive as possible.

Sorry, I got on the bandstand and had a hard time getting off of it. I pray that you will find the help you need.

Carol

The actuall wash is called a lavage. The procedure that it is usually used with is called an arthrocentesis. It involves the stretching of the muscles to improve range of motion. Yes you would be sore for awhile. If they inject the corticosteroids it is to help to minimize pain on a long term basis and may take awhile to work. I myself am scheduled for an arthro on the 30th.Mine is a little more complicated but I have done a ton of research on all of this.

Dyan