Arthritis can cause temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJ), which affect the joint connecting the skull to the lower jaw. Different types of arthritis can cause TMJ, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, and limited mobility. Treatment options include medication, splints, physical therapy, and surgery. Seeking help from medical experts who specialize in facial pain is recommended.
The connection between temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJ) and arthritis revolves around the fact that arthritis is one of the possible causes of the disorder. TMJ refers to problems affecting the temporomandibular joint, a joint that connects the skull to the lower jaw. These joints are located just in front of the ears and are used for chewing, speaking and swallowing. In reality, jaw arthritis sufferers can be mistaken for TMJ. TMJ and arthritis can also occur simultaneously in some individuals.
TMJ arthritis is a degenerative disease in which the affected joints become inflamed, less mobile and painful. Any joint in the body, including the temporomandibular joint, can develop arthritis. In fact, different types of arthritis can be responsible for TMJ. One of the most likely arthritic causes of TMJ is osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis more commonly seen in older individuals and associated with wear and tear. As the disease progresses, the cartilage is destroyed, joint mobility is limited, and bite changes occur.
Rheumatoid arthritis, whether associated with lupus or occurring on its own, is also a cause of TMJ and arthritis. By the time rheumatoid arthritis starts affecting the jaw, it has usually already affected every other joint in the body. The condition can cause the teeth to become misaligned and, in severe cases, the jaw bone to fuse together, making it extremely difficult to open the mouth or eat food. Though rare, traumatic arthritis is another possible cause of TMJ. The condition can result from the extraction of impacted teeth or some other blunt force trauma involving the jaw.
TMJ and arthritis symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from general TMJ symptoms. If arthritis is the cause, however, swelling and tenderness may be present, and pain may be noted in front of the ear. The pain also usually gets worse when clenching, chewing, or doing any other activity that requires jaw movement. Jaw clicking often described as a grinding, grinding or popping sound can be heard when you move your jaw and can indicate that your joints have been impacted.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are generally used to treat TMJ and arthritis. A splint can also be used to protect the muscle from overuse and provide pain relief. Heat therapy and a bland diet are also helpful in soothing pain and reducing discomfort caused by repetitive chewing and jaw movements. Education can also play an important role in successfully treating TMJ and arthritis by helping people understand what actions can cause further pain. Knowledge of TMJ-related physical therapy techniques, for example, may be able to help patients relieve headaches caused by the condition and strengthen jaw muscles.
Depending on the type of arthritis affecting your jaw, you may need a more aggressive course of treatment. Infectious arthritis, a type that can be caused by a bacterium or virus that spreads from elsewhere in the body, is an example of a type of arthritis in which aggressive treatment is usually needed. To prevent permanent damage to the jaw, an antibiotic may be prescribed once the condition is suspected. Arthritis treatment is often started before laboratory results confirming the condition or the type of infection occurring have been received.
Ultimately, proper diagnosis and treatment for TMJ and arthritis will likely depend on seeking help from medical experts who specialize in facial pain. A patient’s medical history, X-rays, and computed tomography are often used to obtain an accurate diagnosis. If the pain persists or worsens with conservative treatment options, surgery may be recommended to correct the structural disorders and joint abnormalities caused by the arthritis.
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