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What Causes Pain And Difficulty In Jaw Movement Following A Hit?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Jun 2014
Question: A few weeks ago I clashed heads whilst playing football. The other guys head hit me square on the jaw joint (left side) and was enough to knock me unconscious for a short time. I went straight to hospital to get it checked out where they did an x-ray and told me that nothing was broken or fractured.
I can no longer move my jaw to the left as it feels like there is bone or something very hard stopping it. When I do try I can feel and hear bone on bone rubbing together which is completely different to the right side and did not happen before the accident. It is causing me a lot of discomfort. What could possibly be going on as I feel that the joint is not working the way it should be. My actual jaw bone itself is fine, it feels like the issue is with the joint and whatever is in the way is pushing on the zygomatic bone (the top of my jaw). Please help! Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
it need more evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to healthcare mlagic forum.
I am Dr Aslam here to help you.
Pain and difficulty in jaw movement,along with bony crepitus following a hit is highly suggestive of some TMJ (tempero mandibular joint) instability. A TMJ dislocation can usually be easily defected, and is associated with difficulty in opening or closing the mouth, rather than difficulty in moving towards one side. So a complete dislocation is unlikely. It can either be a partial dislocation or minor condylar fracture. Such conditions need a careful clinical examination with high degree of suspicion, along with specialized view x rays for detection.
If the above conditions are ruled out, this can be a condition called TMJ syndrome or costen's syndrome which is a painful condition of TMJ due to disparity in masticatory muscle functioning between the two sides.at times, this can follow such injuries.
So it is better to see an OMFS surgeon for correct diagnosis and management.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further questions, I will be happy to help.
Wishing you a faster cure,thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammed Aslam

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 987 Questions

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What Causes Pain And Difficulty In Jaw Movement Following A Hit?

Brief Answer: it need more evaluation Detailed Answer: Hello dear, welcome to healthcare mlagic forum. I am Dr Aslam here to help you. Pain and difficulty in jaw movement,along with bony crepitus following a hit is highly suggestive of some TMJ (tempero mandibular joint) instability. A TMJ dislocation can usually be easily defected, and is associated with difficulty in opening or closing the mouth, rather than difficulty in moving towards one side. So a complete dislocation is unlikely. It can either be a partial dislocation or minor condylar fracture. Such conditions need a careful clinical examination with high degree of suspicion, along with specialized view x rays for detection. If the above conditions are ruled out, this can be a condition called TMJ syndrome or costen's syndrome which is a painful condition of TMJ due to disparity in masticatory muscle functioning between the two sides.at times, this can follow such injuries. So it is better to see an OMFS surgeon for correct diagnosis and management. Hope I have answered your query. If you have further questions, I will be happy to help. Wishing you a faster cure,thank you.