Temporomandibular joint injection

MEDICATIONS

You may have received a prescription for pain medication and or anti-inflammatory medications. Please have the prescription filled at a pharmacy on your way home.

SWELLING AND STIFFNESS

This may occurs following your procedure. This is nature’s way of aiding the healing process by splinting and resting the area. Ice packs applied intermittently (20 to 30 minutes every hour) is usually beneficial.

Return of normal jaw movement may take up to 3 weeks; during this time we recommend jaw exercises to reduce stiffness. These should start the day after surgery.

JAW EXERCISES

Exercising the jaw maintains mandibular mobility as well as helps decrease pain and swelling. Avoid overstretching of the joint and muscle, this may cause an inflammatory process and the risk of excess scar formation. All exercises should be performed slowly and comfortably and should not cause sharp pain. Before beginning exercises, warm your face muscles with warm moist heat. A warm wet face cloth applied to each side of your face for 15 minutes before beginning exercises. Exercises should be performed 20 times each, 4 times a day.

Vertical opening: The tip of the tongue is placed on the roof of the mouth. Open and close your mouth slowly maintaining a straight midline jaw position

Lateral excursion: Place the exercise tube provided between your teeth on the right side. Slide your bottom jaw sideways to the right, then return to center. The exercise tube should waggle up and down when performed correctly. Move exercise tube to the left side and repeat the exercise moving the jaw to the left

Protrusive or gliding motion: Place the exercise tube provided between your front teeth. Slide your bottom jaw forward and back. The exercise tube should waggle up and down when performed correctly.

You may be given instruction for further exercises or stretching as well as physiotherapy. Please follow the instructions given you the day of your procedure.

PAIN 

Postoperative pain is a normal response of the body to any surgical procedure. The local anaesthetic or freezing that was administered during your surgery will probably last from four to six hours. It is advisable to have pain medication on board prior to the freezing wearing off and pain is actually experienced. You will be given pain medication before you leave, please take another within 2 hours.

DIET AND NUTRITION

Your body requires adequate fluids and nourishment. It may be necessary to start with a very soft diet and you may be advised to remain on a soft diet for a period of time before gradually working your way back to a regular diet. Please follow the instructions given on your day of surgery.

INTRAVENOUS SEDATION AND GENERAL ANAESTHETIC PATIENTS

Patients who have had general anaesthetic may experience muscle pains especially around the neck and shoulders, but this can occur anywhere including the chest, back, legs and arms. The pain is often like that which occurs after heavy exercise. It is caused by an anaesthetic drug, and although it is inconvenient and uncomfortable, it is not unusual or dangerous to experience these symptoms. The stiffness and discomfort usually lasts for only two to three days, but can linger for up to one week. It is best treated by rest, heat and your post-operative pain pills. Patients having a general anaesthetic will have had a nasal breathing tube while they were asleep. It may appear that you have had a nosebleed or your nose may be stuffy. It is recommended that you NOT blow your nose for several days. Nasal sprays or decongestants may be used to relieve these symptoms. It is not uncommon to have a sore throat from this tube. The sore throat is best treated with your pain medication, plenty of fluids and lozenges such as Bradasol™ or Sucrets™. If discomfort or pain persists at IV site for more than 2 weeks please call our office.

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT MUST BE OBSERVED

DO NOT leave the patient alone until the morning following surgery.

ABSOLUTELY NO driving or operating any machinery for the first 24 hours following surgery, or as long as you’re taking prescription pain medication.

ABSOLUTELY NO alcohol or recreational drugs for two weeks following surgery, or as long as you’re taking prescription medications.

If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to call our office at Edmonton Office Phone Number 780-454-6565 or 1-800-379-9474. If your call is not answered by the answering service, hang up and call again in five minutes. We apologize for this inconvenience as the lines may be occupied by other callers. There is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon on call ALL HOURS OF THE DAY.

WE PREFER THAT YOU CALL OUR OFFICE FIRST RATHER THAN YOUR OWN DENTIST OR FAMILY DOCTOR. However, if you are experiencing severe bleeding or breathing problems requiring IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, please proceed to the nearest Emergency Department or Dial 911.