The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull. This is a combined joint covered with cartilage. Jaw arthritis is an inflammation of this joint, which is expressed in disruption of the joint itself and surrounding muscles.
The following reasons for the development of the disease are identified:
The most common signs of temporomandibular joint arthritis are severe pain, limited jaw mobility, swelling in the affected area, soft tissue swelling and, in later stages, a characteristic crunching sound.
The patient complains of increased body temperature, decreased hearing, inability to fully open the mouth and often insomnia, the cause of which is pain spreading to the ear and temporal region. In chronic TMJ arthritis, a characteristic symptom is the clicking of the jaw when it moves.
Based on the causes of occurrence, there are several types of arthritis.
Characterized by sharp pain and displacement of the chin to the side. The tissue around the jaw swells. The causes are mechanical influences (bruise, strong opening of the mouth).
Therapy is carried out aimed at relieving pain symptoms (analgesics). It is necessary to achieve resorption of blood in the joint and restoration of motor ability of the lower jaw. For this purpose, UHF therapy, electrophoresis with novocaine, paraffin therapy and mud therapy are used.
The joint should be at rest. This can be achieved by applying a pressure bandage to the jaw, as well as using a plate that is placed between the teeth.
The patient is concerned about the following symptoms: severe pain in the affected area, increasing with jaw movement. The oral cavity opens only 3–5 millimeters. The skin around the joint is inflamed.
Arthritis develops as a result of previous diseases of infectious etiology (otitis, tansilitis, purulent parotitis). The joint becomes infected through the bloodstream.
Therapy is aimed at eliminating the main source of infection. This is the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics (penicillin) and salicylates (preparations containing vitamin C) together with physiotherapy (mercury-quartz irradiation).
An infiltrate forms in the facial area and the sensitivity of the skin is impaired. Due to the reduction of the passage, hearing acuity decreases. There may be signs of general intoxication. On palpation the pain intensifies.
The patient complains of an increase in temperature to subfebrile units. Purulent arthritis of the facial area is eliminated through surgery. The jaw joint is opened and drained.
Postoperative drug therapy includes taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and hormonal drugs. It makes sense to use UHF therapy, electrophoresis and compresses.
The oral cavity opens 2–2.5 centimeters. The pain is constant. Opening the mouth is accompanied by a crunching sound, while the chin moves towards the affected joint. The skin is not changed, the general condition of the patient does not suffer.
Symptoms of a chronic disease of the temporomandibular region usually appear in the morning, since the patient has been at rest for a long time. Ultrasound and paraffin therapy help relieve symptoms. The complex of measures also includes massage of the facial muscles and electrophoresis of iodine preparations.
Therapeutic gymnastics helps to significantly reduce symptoms. It consists of closing and opening the mouth with resistance.
It is a consequence of rheumatism. In most cases, inflammation of the temporomandibular joint occurs after damage to other tissues and is secondary.
Complex therapy is carried out aimed at eliminating rheumatism. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac) and antibacterial drugs have proven themselves well. A rheumatologist performs sanitation of the oral cavity.
For all types of jaw arthritis, the following remedies are effective:
For arthritis of the maxillofacial joint, various biological additives (ultra collagen) have proven themselves to be effective. They restore the structure of cartilage, have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and relax the facial muscles.
For arthritis of the jaw, herbal infusions are widely used. This is, first of all, a collection that includes calendula, St. John's wort, lingonberry and nettle leaves (the herbs are infused and taken 4 times a day). Chicken yolk rubs are used. It is mixed with turpentine and apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon each, and rubbed with massaging movements into the temporomandibular joint.
To avoid unpleasant consequences and the development of ankylosis, it is necessary to adhere to some preventive measures:
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A person lives carelessly, not caring about his health, until the disease forces attention to itself, and the patient will choose the most sophisticated methods for treating it. Therefore, after receiving an injury, people do not worry about the consequences until they feel pain in the joints, a burning sensation or see redness. The injured area may become swollen and deformed, or become stiff. This is arthritis, an inflammatory joint disease.
The worst thing is when the disease affects the jaw joint, then the patient cannot eat normally, talk, and sometimes just open his mouth. The inflammatory process can appear even after trauma to the soft tissues of the jaw. The disease can develop into a chronic form of arthritis of the mandibular joint; treatment in this case must be immediate and effective, otherwise the disease will have to be dealt with through surgery. This should be qualified medical treatment in combination with traditional medicine.
Arthritis can appear due to 2 main reasons: infection or after injury. In the first case, germs or bacteria enter the oral cavity and contribute to the development of the disease. Arthritis of the jaw joint can also appear as a complication of the following diseases:
This disease can also occur due to hypothermia.
If there is a diseased organ near the jaw joint with pus formation, then the blood flow can transfer the infection to the joint cavity.
If visits to the doctor result in a diagnosis of arthritis of the jaw joint, treatment with medications must be supplemented with traditional medicine methods. This includes various rubbing of tinctures, ointments and decoctions, taking baths with special solutions, treatment with herbal preparations and tinctures.
Treatment with folk remedies in the form of rubbing:
Arthritis of the jaw joint can be treated with ointments that can be prepared at home. List of ointments:
Treatment with folk remedies using baths:
Folk remedies most often consider treatment with herbal preparations and decoctions from them:
The use of vodka and wine as a treatment with folk remedies:
In addition to treatment with medications, it is recommended to follow a certain diet to cleanse the body, followed by treatment with folk remedies.
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Arthritis of the jaw joint is an inflammatory disease that occurs in humans for various reasons. In most cases, this disease is caused by various infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, birth defects, trauma, diabetes or thyroid disease. But arthritis of the jaw is very different from other types of this disease.
The most important danger is that in case of arthritis of the jaw joint, symptoms practically do not appear, that is, they do not affect the general condition of a person at all, as is often the case with other types of arthritis. In rare cases, a slight increase in body temperature is observed, and blood tests performed almost never give the whole picture of the current disease.
In most cases, diseases of the mandibular joint are diagnosed in older patients, more precisely from 40-45 years. You should definitely consult your doctor if you experience limited jaw movement, dull pain in the jaw joints and an unpleasant crunch in the jaw.
Depending on the nature of the manifestation, the disease of the mandibular joint is divided into:
It occurs only as a consequence of acute arthritis or a previous and advanced disease.
Symptoms: compaction in the area of the mandibular joint, in this area the skin is very red and tight. The disease most often occurs with pain and dizziness. A person’s body temperature can rise to 37.8-38? C.
Symptoms: acute pain in the jaw joint. This disease is very often accompanied by severe pain in other joints: knee, hip, shoulder, and so on.
Symptoms: constant aching pain in the jaw joint. In the morning, a person experiences stiffness in the movement of the jaw; an unpleasant crunching sound occurs when it moves. When chewing, talking or yawning, involuntary pain sometimes occurs, and the person cannot open his mouth more than 2-3 centimeters. Body temperature, as a rule, does not increase and the general condition of the human body can be considered satisfactory.
This type of disease is quite rare and occurs after syphilis, gonorrhea, or tuberculosis. It enters the mandibular joint through the lymphatic system or through the bloodstream, after which it is affected.
If you have any signs of jaw arthritis, you must consult your doctor, who will accurately determine the type of disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Very often, the doctor prescribes gymnastics, massage or any procedures of this nature as physiotherapeutic and auxiliary methods. Recipes from traditional medicine, that is, tinctures, decoctions or compresses can be used as preventive and auxiliary means, but only after agreement with the attending physician.
If this disease is severely advanced and occurs in a very severe form, then surgical intervention is provided.
Any type of disease of the jaw joint always begins with immobilization.
During which the source of inflammation is surgically opened and a special drainage system is installed. After surgery, the doctor prescribes analgesics and antibiotics. Afterwards, for prevention, the doctor may prescribe compresses, UHF procedures and electrophoresis to the patient.
Arthritis of the jaw is a disease caused by inflammation and affects the temporomandibular joints. These joints serve to connect the mandibular bone to the skull and are responsible for the harmonious functioning of the jaw. If there is a deviation from the normal state, the performance of the joint is impaired.
Arthritis of the maxillofacial joint is caused by birth defects, infectious viruses, and metabolic failures. It can also be triggered by a deviation from the normal state: diabetes or inflammation of the thyroid gland. This type of arthritis is dangerous due to the pathology of the disease, leading to pain when eating and having a conversation.
Nowadays, the relevance of the disease is growing from year to year. An increase in cases of the disease is usually caused by:
Important! People over 50 years of age are susceptible to the disease in 50% of cases. Over the age of 70, the disease is possible in more than 90% of cases.
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The causes of inflammation of the maxillofacial joints are varied. Diagnosing the disease is a very painstaking and complex process. The specialist collects anamnesis, identifies its dependence on allergic, infectious diseases or injury. The doctor studies the nature of the clinical picture of arthritis, the results of laboratory tests of the patient’s tests.
Important! If necessary, the doctor may prescribe x-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Injury and infection are the main causes of arthritis of the maxillofacial joint. As a rule, the disease begins with inflammation against the background of:
The first signs that help recognize jaw arthritis in a person are:
Studying these symptoms will allow the specialist to correctly determine the form of the disease, which will contribute to the successful treatment of the disease.
Physiotherapy, gymnastics, massage, balneotherapy are non-drug treatment methods that give positive results.
Important! A correct diagnosis and identification of the form of the disease contribute to the rapid treatment of arthritis of the maxillofacial joint.
Treatment begins with creating rest and immobility of the joint. This can be done using a custom cape-like bandage and a dental plate. This way the joint is fixed in a stable state.
Correct determination by the doctor of the stage of the disease and prescribed treatment will give improvement in 3-4 days.
In the case of a docked form, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed until the functioning of the jaw joints is completely restored. It can be:
Drug treatment of arthritis of the maxillofacial joint is carried out for 2-3 weeks. It is designed to reduce pain and relieve spasms of the masticatory muscles.
Patients take analgesics with the following properties:
They use medications to relieve pain and inflammation (sometimes doctors may recommend using Zdorov cream-wax for joints, find out why here):
The doctor may also prescribe anxiolytics or neuroleptics that reduce anxiety, fear, pain, and reduce emotional tension. Their action is aimed at balancing the body’s general neurovegetative response to pain, and is used if all tried methods have failed.
Important! For acute injury, local anesthesia is used.
Surgery is performed for a diagnosis of purulent arthritis. The inflammation focus is opened and drained. Then complex treatment is prescribed to avoid the inflammatory process. Further restoration includes:
Important! If you have suffered from arthritis of the temporomandibular joint caused by dental diseases, then after recovery, regular examination by a dentist is required. The doctor conducts an examination of the oral cavity.
It is not difficult to completely restore JOINTS! The most important thing is to rub this into the sore spot 2-3 times a day.
Arthritis of the maxillofacial joint or temporomandibular arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the tissue of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower part of the main skull with the lower jaw.
The factors that provoke the development of the disease lead to disruption of the normal functioning of the joint, creating interference in the full functioning of the lower jaw.
Doctors identify three reasons leading to the development of arthritis:
The disease is usually divided into groups not only by the causes of occurrence, but also by the forms of its course. There are two forms:
The border between acute and chronic forms of arthritis of the maxillofacial joint often has unclear outlines, since the first type of pathology, without timely diagnosis and treatment, flows into the second.
Treatment of arthritis of the maxillofacial joint depends on the symptoms of the pathology. Symptoms help the doctor determine the type of disease and select an appropriate treatment regimen.
There are five types of the disease, characterized by differences in the clinical picture.
The cause of the development of pathology is mechanical trauma. Main symptoms:
The patient's history includes a work injury, an episode of a fight, and an unsuccessful movement.
The disease occurs due to the transport of infection through blood vessels. The inflammatory process in a joint can be triggered by:
The patient complains of acute pain in the area of the projection of the joint, which intensifies when trying to make a movement. It is not possible to open the mouth fully, since attempts increase the severity of the pain symptom. The doctor pays attention to inflammatory changes in the skin around the affected joint.
In the anamnesis, it is necessary to pay attention to an episode of infection.
The purulent form of the pathology develops if pathogenic pyogenic microflora enters the area of the already affected TMJ. The patient's complaints are as follows:
Purulent arthritis of the maxillofacial joint may be accompanied by signs of general intoxication: weakness, headaches, increased fatigue, and lack of appetite. Upon visual examination, attention is drawn to redness of the skin over the lesion site and swelling. In some cases, it is possible to visually determine the infiltrate if it has reached a sufficiently large size.
The history is noteworthy of open injuries in the articulation area and past illnesses.
The rheumatoid type of disease is a consequence of rheumatism. The TMJ is affected secondarily, after damage to other joints of the body, but in some cases primary damage to the TMJ can be found.
The rheumatoid form is characterized by severe joint pain and complaints of the inability to open the mouth wide. If the doctor detects an exacerbation of rheumatism, then it is possible to record an elevated temperature in the patient.
Rheumatoid arthritis can have a long course, and then the symptoms are accompanied by complaints of increased fatigue and weight loss. Attention must be paid to the symmetry of the lesion, which speaks in favor of rheumatic tissue damage.
The differences between the chronic version of the disease and other forms are the constancy of the pain symptom and the severity of pain in the morning, after being in a long state of rest.
When examining the patient, the doctor notes the opening of the mouth by 2-2.5 cm, a crunch in the affected joint and a displacement of the lower jaw towards the affected side. Noteworthy is the absence of skin inflammatory reaction, temperature and other complaints from the patient.
Any type of maxillofacial arthritis begins with sharp pain in the area of the affected joint. The pain radiates in some cases to the temporal region, the back of the head, the ear, and the tongue. Due to irradiation, patients cannot indicate the location of pain during examination, making diagnosis difficult. If the pain symptom radiates to the temporal or occipital region, doctors may mistakenly suspect headaches and begin searching for causes without thinking about TMJ arthritis.
The irradiation of pain is facilitated by a wide network of nerves in the temple and lower jaw, making it difficult to differentiate between the inflammatory pathology of the joint and trigeminal neuralgia.
When making differentiation, doctors pay attention to the locality of pain and the presence or absence of pulsations, which are the fundamental criterion.
Regardless of the symptoms, treatment of maxillofacial arthritis begins with the application of a fixing bandage, providing rest to the affected joint. Doctors use a cape-shaped bandage to install an interdental plate that fixes the bite. While wearing the bandage, the patient is fed only liquid food.
In addition to applying a bandage, therapy is selected that is suitable for treating the established form of the disease. Principles of therapy:
To relieve pain, analgesics or novocaine blockade are used. The drugs are selected by the doctor based on the characteristics of the disease, the severity of symptoms and an assessment of the patient’s allergy history. Preference is given to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; novocoin blockade is a last resort when other methods of combating pain have proven ineffective.
Antibiotics are not the main medication for the treatment of pathology, but are used if an infectious or purulent process is diagnosed. When choosing therapy, the doctor must conduct a study on the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics, after which preference is given to drugs with a narrow spectrum of action. The choice of narrowly targeted drugs prevents the development of side effects.
During an exacerbation of a painful symptom, doctors recommend making compresses that have warming properties. Preference is given to ointments and creams that contain snake or bee venom. Ointments with a warming effect relieve severe pain and improve joint mobility.
Important! If arthritis is caused by an infectious or purulent process, warming up is prohibited. Under the influence of heat, the reproduction of pathogenic microflora is more active, which leads to a worsening of the disease.
Purulent arthritis can only be treated with surgery and is considered one of the most dangerous. After eliminating the purulent focus, the patient is in the hospital, undergoing a rehabilitation period. After draining the lesion, it is allowed to use warming dry compresses to relieve pain.
If the rheumatoid variety of the disease is diagnosed, anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used. The use of medications with hormonal activity is recommended. Depending on the severity of the process, different treatment regimens are used. The attending physician may recommend visiting a dentist to sanitize the oral cavity, or visiting a specialist who eliminates bite defects.
Attention should be paid to physical exercises that help restore mobility of the maxillofacial joint. The main exercise is carried out according to the following scheme: a fist is placed below the chin, blocking the activity of the lower jaw. The patient should open and close the mouth only by moving the upper jaw. The exercise is repeated for 2-2.5 minutes several times a day. If severe pain is present, you can combine physical activity on the joint with the use of analgesics or the application of a warming ointment.
Treatment of arthritis of the maxillofacial joint can be carried out using traditional medicine, which effectively relieves the symptoms of the disease.
There are several effective recipes:
When choosing treatment with folk remedies, the patient should consult a doctor to avoid unforeseen complications. Traditional medicine recipes are less likely to cause complications, but often provoke allergic reactions to components, the prevention of which requires separate consultation with a physician.
Traditional medicine is used in the treatment of maxillofacial arthritis to eliminate the symptoms of the pathology, as maintenance therapy during remission, and as an adjuvant during the main treatment.
The causes and factors contributing to the occurrence of arthritis of the maxillofacial joint are very diverse and consist of both causes common to any joint and those that determine the specificity of jaw arthritis. We can highlight:
Based on their origin, arthritis of the jaw joint is divided into infectious and non-infectious. Infectious arthritis of the TMJ can be specific or nonspecific. Nonspecific include those that occur if streptococcal, staphylococcal and other pathogenic microflora enter the body and develop. Specific – occur after a person has had tuberculosis or sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia). Specific arthritis of the TMJ is a very rare form of the disease.
Non-infectious arthritis is divided into:
Arthritis of the maxillofacial joint can be acute or chronic. Acute arthritis can have serous and purulent periods of disease development.
Infectious nonspecific acute arthritis is most common in practice. The jaw joint can become infected as a result of an ENT disease, for example, otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis or pathologies of other nearby structures: inflammation of the salivary glands, dental problems (caries, periodontitis, purulent diseases of the teeth and gums).
Find out more about the disease from the medical TV show “About the Most Important Thing”:
Each type and period, each stage and form of arthritis of the jaw has its own distinctive characteristics.
Acute nonspecific arthritis of the TMJ is characterized by:
During the purulent period, the following may be added: fever, chills, fever, nausea, dizziness. As a result of severe swelling, the patient may begin to hear worse; ulcers sometimes break into the ear canal, in which case pus may flow from the ear.
In the chronic form of the course, all symptoms are blurred. The main complaint is limited mobility; crunching and cracking sounds are heard when the jaw moves. The pain is aching and usually has low intensity.
Rheumatoid is characterized not only by symptoms of damage to the jaw joint, but also to the body as a whole:
Since traumatic arthritis is caused by maxillofacial injuries, severe pain occurs. Symptoms are determined by the nature of the injury.
A distinctive feature of maxillary arthritis is a rather long asymptomatic period. An increase in body temperature may occur. Symptoms appear already at a late stage of the disease.
The complexity of the jaw structure and numerous factors influencing its condition lead to difficulties in making an accurate diagnosis. The problem arises even when choosing a specialist. Who should I contact: a surgeon, a traumatologist, a rheumatologist, a dentist? This choice is determined by the type of maxillofacial arthritis. The main diagnostic method is radiography, and, if necessary, computed tomography. If rheumatoid arthritis of the jaw is suspected, general, biochemical and immunological blood tests are required.
Treatment tactics are determined by the type, form, and period of the disease.
When treating acute arthritis of the TMJ, the joint must be fixed for a certain time so that it is motionless. For nonspecific and traumatic arthritis, the following drugs are used:
The doctor selects specific therapeutic agents individually for each patient, depending on the characteristics of the disease and the patient’s condition.
Treatment is complemented by the use of physiotherapeutic procedures, they accelerate metabolic processes, improve blood supply to the joint, relieve swelling, and reduce pain:
During the recovery period, treatment may include special exercises and massage.
If acute arthritis of the TMJ becomes purulent, most often it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention. The abscess is opened and drainage is placed, analgesics and antibiotics are prescribed, and later physiotherapy is added.
Chronic arthritis of the TMJ usually occurs if acute arthritis has not been treated. In this case, you need to be patient; chronic arthritis takes a long time to be treated. Electrophoresis and phonophoresis with bee products are used, and massage is prescribed.
Arthrosis is a joint disease in which cartilage is destroyed and dystrophic changes in the joint occur. At a certain stage of development of articular pathology, changes inherent in both arthritis and arthrosis can be observed. This is arthrosis-arthritis of the jaw joint.
In this video you can learn more about treating the disease quickly and clearly:
Use tinctures, ointments, decoctions, compresses. Folk remedies, as well as drug treatment, are aimed at eliminating symptoms and also act on the cause of the disease. You just need to strictly follow the instructions - consult with your doctor and discuss the use of folk remedies.
A few simple recipes:
There are many recipes, everyone can choose the one that suits them and helps them. Do not under any circumstances engage in self-diagnosis or self-medication, do not replace a visit to a doctor with advice from neighbors, relatives, friends, or members of online forums. Do not use medications or folk remedies that have helped someone. The basic rule is that any remedy should be prescribed only by a doctor, this also applies to traditional methods of treatment.
Preventive measures require timely treatment:
Try to avoid facial injuries, jaw bruises, hypothermia, which can provoke inflammatory processes. Eat rationally and lead a healthy lifestyle.
The consequences of ignoring or insufficiently serious approach to treatment can lead to severe consequences, depending on its type. The serous period of acute arthritis can turn into a purulent one. The inflammatory process can spread to other organs and systems, which can lead to sepsis, meningitis, and phlegmon. Untreated acute and traumatic arthritis of the jaw turns into a chronic form of the disease. Chronic arthritis causes the appearance of adhesions in the joint, which eventually leads to ankylosis, in which the joint is completely immobile or contracture, while mobility is only partially preserved. Untimely treatment of rheumatoid arthritis of the TMJ leads to damage to other joints and internal organs: kidneys, lungs, heart. The prognosis for this is the most unfavorable.
Arthritis of the maxillofacial joint is a serious, rapidly progressive disease. Remember, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it is.
Learn about effective exercises to relieve tension and reduce pain in this video:
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a paired organ. It connects the lower jaw with the skull.
Arthritis of the temporomandibular joint is diagnosed when an inflammatory process appears in the joint. At an early stage of pathology, the source of inflammation is located in the joint capsule. As the disease progresses, the inflammatory process affects other parts of the joint. If the disease is not treated, the joint may lose its mobility.
The disease often develops after infectious diseases. The infection can spread to the joint from neighboring tissues. Contact arthritis of the TMJ type occurs when:
Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the joint cavity, creating a focus of inflammation.
Hematogenous infection of the joint develops against the background of:
Reactive arthritis of the TMJ is detected when:
It develops against the background of meningococcal infection. In such cases, pathogenic organisms do not penetrate the joint cavity, but are the cause of the disease.
People who have been diagnosed with rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis are at risk.
Trauma can trigger the pathological process. Arthritis sometimes begins to bother a person after a blow or fall.
The disease can be provoked by:
People who are often under stress over-tighten their facial muscles, putting increased stress on the temporomandibular joint.
In the acute form of arthritis of the maxillofacial joint, symptoms can be recognized by a stabbing pain in the joint area, which intensifies when trying to open the mouth. Sometimes the pain is felt not in the joint itself, but in the ear. It can appear in the temple, in the back of the head and even in the tongue. The nature of the pain syndrome is similar to the signs of trigeminal neuralgia. A special feature is the pulsation of pain.
The main symptom of arthritis is a decrease in the range of motion of the joint. The patient has difficulty opening his mouth. The motor function of the jaw is limited.
During an exacerbation of the disease, a swelling is visible in front of the ear tragus. The skin at the epicenter of inflammation turns red and becomes very sensitive. When feeling the problem joint, a person feels intense pain.
If maxillofacial arthritis enters the purulent stage, the person’s condition worsens. His body temperature rises to 38°C. On the side of the affected joint, the external auditory canal narrows. The patient partially or completely loses hearing. Ear congestion is observed on both the problematic and healthy sides. The person becomes very weak and dizzy. He loses his appetite and cannot sleep. The patient feels pain when pressing on the chin in an upward and forward direction.
With arthritis of a rheumatic nature, both joints become inflamed. During the examination, the patient is often diagnosed with heart problems.
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, only one TMJ is affected. However, pain is also felt in the hip, knee or shoulder joint.
If the disease is not cured during the acute stage, it gradually becomes chronic. The patient suffers from moderate pain in the joint and in the ear area. They may get worse in the morning. When chewing and yawning, the joint clicks, crunches or creaks. It is not possible to open the mouth completely. Movements of the joint become limited, they are carried out with effort. It is especially difficult to move the jaw in the morning, after a long rest.
When the jaw drops, it moves slightly towards the problematic joint. If such symptoms appear, arthritis of the maxillofacial joint has become chronic.
When the disease passes from an acute to a chronic form, damage to the auditory canals may disappear on its own. But more often, individual hearing problems persist.
Chronic jaw arthritis often causes muscle pain in the back of the head and neck. Painful lumps appear in the muscles. Unpleasant sensations occur in the joint area and on the side surfaces of the face. The patient has difficulty speaking or chewing for a long time. He suffers from headaches.
Over time, asymmetry develops on the patient's face. It becomes skewed towards the affected joint.
Sometimes arthritis of the maxillary joint develops gradually, without an acute stage. In this case, it is difficult to detect it in time. Changes occur slowly and unnoticed by the patient. Patients often ignore a slight crunch in the joint and aching pain.
When more serious complications develop, the disease is much more difficult to cure. In the later stages of arthritis, irreversible changes appear. Therefore, it becomes impossible to completely restore the motor function of the joint.
If arthritis is diagnosed, symptoms and treatment depend on the severity. Therapy begins with the appointment of complete immobilization of the problematic joint. If inflammation occurs due to injury, a fracture may occur. While motor function is maintained, bone fragments can damage nearby tissue. Immobilization will help alleviate the patient's condition until the causes of inflammation are fully clarified.
To fix the jaw, a special sling-like bandage is used. It is a strip of fabric, cut on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The lower ends of the bandage are placed in front of the ears and tied at the crown of the head. The upper ends are tied at the back at the base of the head. A sling bandage holds the jaw in a closed position. An interdental plate is placed on the side of the affected joint, separating the jaws. During the acute period (2-3 days), the patient can only eat liquid food. He is not allowed to speak.
If arthritis of the jaw joint is confirmed, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs quickly relieve pain in TMJ arthritis. The patient is prescribed:
Diclofenac is administered intramuscularly, then switched to tablets for oral administration. If the pain is not very severe, Paracetamol is prescribed.
When arthritis is provoked by rheumatic processes, the attending physician prescribes steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
If arthritis in the temporomandibular joint is caused by pyogenic pathogens, the surgeon decides on the advisability of opening the purulent capsule and draining it. Immediately after surgery, broad-spectrum antibiotics (Ceftriaxone) are prescribed intramuscularly. Narcotic painkillers (Morphine) are administered intramuscularly. Then they switch to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketorolac, Indomethacin).
Your doctor will determine how to treat jaw arthritis after injury. Surgery may be necessary if a fracture of the articular surfaces, rupture of the joint capsule or ligaments is detected.
After the inflammatory process has subsided, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy:
With the rheumatic nature of the disease, there is a high risk of fusion of the articular ends (ankylosis). This complication leads to complete immobility of the joint. To prevent its development, the patient must perform a therapeutic set of exercises.
The main symptom: swelling of the soft tissues, severe and sharp pain that occurs as a consequence of an injury or damage to the jaw joint. Sometimes, simply by yawning, a person can cause damage to the jaw and then, in addition, get acute arthritis.
It occurs as a consequence of illnesses suffered by a person (flu, hypothermia, tonsillitis) as a complication. One of the varieties of this type of disease is rheumatoid arthritis, which occurs with osteomyelitis, otitis media or mastoiditis.
Symptoms: very severe pain, in which you cannot open your mouth, radiating to the ear, temple or back of the head. If you press on the tragus, the pain will intensify, as with otitis media.
When visiting a doctor, the doctor prescribes a thorough examination, because the treatment is different for each type of disease. Under no circumstances, even if you have read a lot of literature on this disease, do not self-medicate.
The doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics and sometimes hormonal drugs. The duration of treatment always depends on the stage of development of the disease and the condition of the facial jaw joint.