you need to remember that MRIs are only about 20% accurate. Your discs may very well be where they are supposed to be. the only way to tell is to open it up but that is your last and final option

Hi Dyan,

Thanks for your comments! I know that I've read where many people have displaced or forward discs, and they don't have problems. True enough. These people's discs would therefore still be "reducing".

When you have displaced discs that are non-reducing, that's where the problem comes in. With non reducing discplaced discs, the ligaments holding the disc are stretched out, and these ligaments never heal. The disc, then hangs in the way of your jaw dropping down - it becomes like a door stopper.

I know all the literature says that surgery is a last and final option for rare cases. But I'm just wondering why there are so many of us that end up being those rare, last resort patients.

These tmj disorders need a much higher profile! Help Oprah! Help Larry King! Help 60 Minutes! Hey, maybe Paris Hilton would take this on, to redeem herself, since this seems to be, in large part, a younger woman's problem!

Ess

beleive me we have tried oprah etc-- they dont answer

I had displaced discs---i know what you are talking about. THe reason you have so many last resort surgeries is that they really arent last resort surgeries---there are so many other treatments that havent been tried. for instanc i know someone that had splint therapy and said that as a last resort she had joint replacements---I asked her if she had done ----and gave her a list---she hadnt. so there are few last resorts--I did it all and ended up in the or. i didnt want to be there.

It sounds like you made all the right moves that you could, Dyan, and I'm sorry that you had to have the surgery. But I am sure hoping that it will be the final answer for you, and that you now stablize. Also, you are doing something very positive, helping out in this newsgroup, with all your experience. I'm sure that you are helping others, more than you will ever know.

All the best,
Ess

By the way, Dyan, I know that you have been suffering for years, and had so many treatments, but what was the surgery that you just had recently, and are things going well for you in your recovery? I hope you don't mind me asking. Just ignore this if it's not an appropriate question.

All the best,
Ess

no problem I had orthognathis surgery

had 3 parts

1 maxillary osteotomy lefort I---cut out upper teeth and lowered them
2 left arthroplasty---opened the left joint
3 bilateral coroniodectomies----cut out the coronoid on both sides---that is the bone that is next to the condyle and goes up on the other side of the emminence.

not doing too badly at all. I feel pretty good.

Wow, that is major!!! You are a real trooper, Dyan. I shall have to look up info on those procedures. Here's hoping things just keep getting better for you!

Ess