Bilateral Total Joint Replacement Q&A :I want to hear your stories!!

[madre bella]

Hey Everyone,

Alot of you guys know me. I've bad on the board roughly a year now. I first joined last November, around a month before I was then scheduled to have a Bilateral Arthroplasty. Fast Forward to the present, I've know had 2 Bilateral Arthrolastys in the past 11 months and am now staring at a Bilateral Total Joint Replacement in my near future.

I have always told myself that I would never consider this option. Mind you before I ever ventured into the world of surgery, I had tried every non invasive procedure available, I've tried every hollistic and natural approach, I've also tried alot of invasive surgical procedures. And this doesn't even include the medcines I've tried. When I say alot, I really mean alot. I've also completed more then 75 sessions of physical therapy collectively in the past 2 years. Basically nothing has worked to cause me any relief, but most of all nothing has helped the functioning of my jaw joints. I've always known that the chances of my pain going away are very slim to none. On top of my diagnosis of having TMJ, I have severe bony Ankylosis (I have no idea why my jaw has to grow bone, but its rather annoying!) and hypomobility issues. I also have Myofacial Pain Syndrome as well. If I chose not to go through with this surgery my joints will eventually fuse together. I will say that some mornings I experience intense jaw lock where I actually have to massage my joints and temples to try and get them to open. So if anything, I've already experienced the feeling of having my jaw close on me. I'm losing millimeters each month that I can't afford to lose. Currently I rely on a long acting Narcotive medication to help get me through each day. I know that by having a TJR, that the chances my pain will be decreased will be slim. But the blunt reality of my situation is that my ROM is at less then 14mm on a good day. Some days my jaw is so mashed together, I'm lucky if I can open it more then 10mm. The Total Joint Replacement will obviously be for function only, but I guess I can have that extra bit of hope that the pain will go away afterwards.

For those that don't know, I dont have genetic TMJ. My TMJ was accident induced. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and as a result I was hit from behind while stopped at a red light. I had never known before this accident that jaw problems ever even existed.(I was ignorant when pain wasn't a part of my everyday life) But one thing is for certain, I know all to well now. Most of you have seen my threads with the pictures I've shown after my first Bilateral Arthroplasty. I always try to help others with information when I can be helpful. There is defintitely a shortage of pictures out there to show what surgery looks like after you've gotten it done. So if there is anything I can help anyone with, please feel free to ask. But now I have a brand new set of research to really delve into, I may know alot about the past surgeries and treatments I've had, but I really know nothing about TJR's. My surgeon is recomending to get the Concepts device, Bilaterally. I have gone to the website: www.tmjconcepts.com and it has proven to give alot of information. I just recently underwent the Ct-Scan and had to follow the protocall to the tee. Bascially I know textbook info about the concepts device and TJR's, but I've come here to find out more.

I have so many questions really. But really what I want to know and hear is everyones stories. For thoes that have had either a unilateral or bilateral Total Joint Replacement, could you tell me your stories here, and basically just give all info that you have come out of it with? I dont want to ask a bunch of questions until I see everyones stories. It's just easier this way. I'm having a really hard time coping with all that has happened within the past 2 month time frame. I just never thought this would happen, and when I say happen I mean so soon. I'm only 27 years old and the thought of having my natural jaw joints taken out just scares me. I know this is the only option I have left. I've had enough opinions upon second opinions to tell me this, but now I'm at a point where I need guidance from anyone thats willing to help me.

Thank you in advance, I've really honestly tried scouring the website for those that have had a TJR, I've talked with TMJ_Stacey both through emails and on the phone and she has been an incredible source of support. Now I've started talking with Hatty through emails and have plans on calling her this week. If anyone could share their stories with having a Total Joint Replacement, it would mean alot to me. Words can't describe the feelings and emotions i'm currently feeling. I'm trying my best to get through this rather difficult time. Thank you to those that have helped me on here, and to those that reply to this thread.

Much Thanks and I look forward to talking with you on a more personal level! - Erica aka Madre Bella