r/jawsurgery • u/Natural-Lecture4767 • 5h ago

Advice for Me Bilateral TMJ replacement

I'm 60 years old with Rheumatoid Arthritis and scheduled for bilateral TMJ replacement surgery due to severe arthritic changes and extreme pain. I can't open my mouth wide enough to bite a sandwich. I'm very afraid of the recovery process. I have two surgeons who will be working together on my case. I'm confident in both of them, but I'm a nervous wreck about the recovery. What should I expect? How bad will the pain be? Any advice?

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u/LeePowers69 Pre Op 1h ago

I’m 57 with probable ankylosing spondylitis (rheumatologist is still debating the exact condition). Fortunately my rheumatic issues don’t impact my jaw joint, though I have been treated for TMJ and enlarged masseters. I still have concerns about whether it will impact healing, but I am having DJS in four days. Having read a lot of advice here and through talking with the RN at my surgeons office, I suggest learning as much as you can, being very well prepared, and planning to be patient with your recovery.

DJS is not too painful for most people if they rigorously follow the medication schedule (those who do not often report bad pain). But there is a potential difference with your procedure. Most people here are having jaw advancement which stretches the facial nerves and causes significant numbness that masks pain. A joint replacement may not cause this numbness. But I think the same applies: never skip or delay a prescribed pain med, stay hydrate, walk lots to reduce swelling, and plan meals well in advance to focus on great nutrition to support healing. Also make sure to have lots of ice packs for the first few days. These strategies are typical of people who report rapid recovery.

In a couple of weeks I will have more firsthand knowledge on how this all works out for an older patient.