How can physical therapists help if you decide to have arthrocentesis for a TMJ dysfunction?

Arthrocentesis TMJ

Did you know that your jaw is the most used joint in your whole body? It is, and it’s called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. This joint connects your jaw to your skull — with the help of several ligaments, muscles and an articular disc. What could go wrong, right? The short answer, a lot. 

When things go wrong, it’s called TMJ disorder or dysfunction. This can occur for many reasons, including stress, muscle spasm, head posture, clenching your teeth or the displacement of the articular disc. In some cases, a form of minimally invasive surgery called arthrocentesis is recommended to address severe TMJ dysfunction. 

Physical therapists can help you determine if you need an arthrocentesis procedure

Wondering if you have a run-of-the-mill headache or if TMJ dysfunction is the culprit? Here are some symptoms commonly associated with TMJ dysfunction: 

  • Headaches that are localized to one side of your head and neck.
  • Jaw tightness.
  • Ear pain.

If you aren’t sure if you have a TMJ disorder, you should schedule an appointment with a physical therapist who specializes in them. They can perform a series of evaluations to determine if your pain is caused by TMJ dysfunction. This clinical examination may include: 

  • Palpating (touching) your jaw joint or muscles to check for tenderness and clicking when you open and close your mouth. 
  • Evaluating your jaw’s range of motion to determine if you open and close your mouth evenly. 
  • Sometimes, an X-ray is used to determine if arthritis is present within your joint. 

Your physical therapist can also consult with your primary care physician or surgeon. Together, they can determine if arthrocentesis is a treatment option you should use for your TMJ dysfunction. 

Arthrocentesis for TMJ dysfunction

In some cases, arthrocentesis is recommended to treat TMJ dysfunction. Athrocentesis essentially washes out the joint, restoring function and reducing pain. This procedure is considered to be safe and effective. The process involves inserting two small needles into the temporomandibular joint, allowing the fluid to be drained.

How a physical therapist near you can help

Once you have had arthrocentesis to address a severe TMJ dysfunction, there are several ways a physical therapist can help you. The most important way they can help is by creating a personalized post-surgical rehabilitation plan. This plan may include: 

Looking for a customized rehab plan that includes these and other helpful techniques? Contact us at SSOR today for more information about how we can help with your post-surgical recovery or to schedule your initial appointment.