Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Michelle Denise) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:26:56 PST

Elaine,

That is kind of where my thinking is lately. I am just hoping my luck holds out.

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Elaine2004) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:37:46 PST

I would hate to guess what kind of shape my implant is in or if there is even anything left of it. I am such a grinder that there can't be much in there. One dentist told me it looked like one of the screws was backing out but I haven't had any trouble with it. No headaches to speak of lately so I am leaving well enough alone. I would hate to stir up another Hornets Nest like I had before. If it don't hurt, don't fix it is the way I am looking at it. Sometimes even if it hurts, don't fix it. I should have went thtat route. LOL
Elaine

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Growlsburg) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 18:34:26 PST

Can't say that .this does not surprise me in how many folks have had problems with their implants. I had my set put in around the mid nineties, and removed a few years later. The thing that had let me down was that I had bee to so many of Dr. christion's classes over a ten year period. He would eve sit at our table for the lunch breaks. One could say that the bubble burst of how I looked at his classes and what not. My poor surgion has had to replace every single person who has had the implants done.

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (buffyjo) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:43:05 PST

HI Guys.
It's been awhile I'm sorry I've decided to live back in my bubble. My pain Even being in pain management is still bad. I need Help i think somedays I'm dying. I've been to the dentist been to my GP been to my surgeon without the money for their $500 tests EACH i wont know whats broken, I use an entire bottle of ambosol a week have alot of meds doesn't help AT ALL it's daily now started slow. Welp thats a wrap. IT HURTS BAD !!!

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Cymy Sue) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:35:54 PST

Ginni,

Thanks for the additional info on knee replacements. I'm 56 but the knee replacement was first mentioned when I was 54, after the first surgery. Possibly, the several doctors (orthopedic surgeons & others) who have been hesitant are more concerned with the complicating factor of my back problems.
I'm not sure why they think I'm too young otherwise.

Two knee surgeries about 5 months apart lead to a huge flare of back pain and it continues due to a slight limp I've had for 2 years. Also, the stress on your back when you're trying to work with a healing knee creates back strain.

Walking out of balance has added to the need for epidurals and more often. Prior to this, I was able to manage the back problems pretty well and had not needed many ESI's in the last several years at all.

It's a vicious cycle as most multiple health problems are. The muscles around my knee and supporting muscles in my leg...

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (feelines) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:43:35 PST

I am really happy to hear about the success of your jaw joint replacement with the Concepts, 3-D imaging, and terrific surgeon, not to mention insurance coverage. I am also glad you came back to tell us about it when you could easily have gone on without letting us know. I hope it continues to be a success and that you will keep us posted.

I do not consider myself to be in the jaw joint replacement department at this point, but I am definitely in the prosthesis department with my implanted teeth, overlay splint and needed buildup of my teeth. I don't know how I am going to pull off the prosthetic buildup of my teeth yet. I am disabled without the prosthetic support.

Enjoy your apples....

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (ginnic) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:13:34 PST

We also had a lady from England that got the Concepts a few years ago and did very well. She quit checking in after her surgery. I think she was doing so well she went on with her life.

Best wishes,
Michelle

I think you said a lot right there Michelle - people who have the surgeries and do well may eventually drift off and get on with their lives. It is a shame they do not come back with info to let others know things DID and ARE going well and the replacement surgery worked well for them. Those out there who may be candidates DO need to hear that support!

Cymy Sue,
I have no idea how old you are now, but I can tell you the orthopedic surgeons where I work now will do knee replacements on people in their 40s easily.......and sometimes later 30s if they are really already disabled. There is NO need to people to suffer in pain if there is a cure out there. It used to be that they wanted to...

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (lu jones) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:55:19 PST

Ginni, Thanks for checking in. I'm glad you had a good surgeon and are doing OK. It is nice to know. Lu

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Michelle Denise) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:44:52 PST

I seriously considered a TJR with the Concepts, but the insurance would not pay in Missouri. I went to Dallas, TX and saw Dr. Larry Wolford several years ago. We even tried to buy an insurance policy in a TMJ covered state, but was not able to purchase one. Also, we tried setting up our own company and buying our own policy, but no one would cover one tmj even if it was our own company. We ran out of ideas, and I just gave up.

It is good to know you had great success with your operation and the TMJ Concepts. I may have to get them some day even if I can't afford it and just take out a loan.

Right now I am not willing to sell my home or make my husband sell it for an operation for me. I am hoping health care will change and start covering such an awful ailment.

My joint also has severe degenerative osteoarthritis and pops, cracks and snaps. My husband can even hear it.

I am very happy everything worked out for you. We also had a lady from...

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Cymy Sue) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:35:12 PST

Ginni,

Thank you so much for your post. All personal stories of successful treatment are welcome and appreciated here, regardless of what type treatment it is. I hope you will continue to update us on your post-operative condition & recovery. I hope & pray the TMJ Concept replacements will be a complete success for you, forever.
You have not been forgotten and you have been missed.

I am extremely happy for you. I know it was a hard decicion to make, but also know there is a point where many of us realize we have to make that decision. I did in 2002, but it was too late after too many failed surgeries of other sorts. The replacements would have been Concepts and the surgery would have been done by one of the best and one I know and trust with my life. I was devastated when he said I was not a candidate for a successful replacement surgery due to previous damage and other factors.

My TMJD was caused completely by destroyed joints. (the...

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (ginnic) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:06:21 PST
Some of you may recogonize my name from past boards. I basically quit coming to this one last fall probably, lots of reasons.

Just wanted to tell people that there IS hope out there - I refused to give up. I knew I had a totally JOINT caused problem - it was not out of alignment, I did not have malocclusion etc etc. Braces, splints (tried 2), etc. Nada. PT, Massage, alternative medicines and treatments - I could spend a whole day listing what I did try.

Bottom line is several years back when I finally got to find a competent surgeon who believed what I said about WHERE my jaw pain was (IN THE JOINT) and where it was not (NOWHERE ELSE) did I finally get the help I needed. He tried some less conservative things first, but he did bluntly tell me I had degenerative joint disease aka osteoarthritis (also in my thumb, and my neck) and the only that was going to heal the pain I was in constantly was artificial joints.

Well, it took a long time of me doing...

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (buffyjo) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:23:09 PST

Hello again Everyone,
As the situations change so will this thread it was a promise to myself . For me personally the best way to deal with the changes and pain is to try and ignore it .Like its really normal to have to look to see if its been long enough to take more pain meds so i can at least uncurl my toes.
For the past couple months the right side of my neck is getting more and more painful the Dr said the *lump*inside my right cheek is way past tendonitis stage I cant remember exactly what he called it. He did say it was 3x's that of left side . I Don't know i just don't know!!! As I've said before I'm not sure function was worth it i think i should have tried other things first i don't think you can TRICK your muscles . They gave me *new metal bones* but my muscles, tendons, And nerves well they don't like it .I still have alot of swelling right side of face my neck pain goes to my shoulder then stops feels like solid brick at...

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (buffyjo) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:41:25 PST

I have no idea where this will end up I pulled thread by a search..

It's been along time since I updated this thread but It is a Documented Truthful journey that will always continue .

Things remain about the same since my total joint replacement (Christensen stock) I'm "ok" if I take my pain meds & Lyrica ALL the time! My opening has remained about the same (better than before) My pain is constant with movement so I take my meds and get by . That lump in my cheek turned out to be my tendon (Hard as a rock and swollen to the pint of biting my cheek at times) We have tried different things muscle relaxes exercises etc... Not a damn thing will relax it gets worse as the day goes on with movement . The dr said something about HIM trying to RELEASE IT (what he said) I assume he means another sedated procedure where he manipulates it's. However no insurance means NADDA HAPPENING ! My Dr still stands by me doing whatever he can .I know...

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Elaine2004) — Sat, 10 May 2008 22:41:08 PST

Normal range of motion for anyone having the Christensen Fossa is 25mm. I just found that out at my last dental appointment.
Elaine

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (ginnic) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:00:42 PST
Dear Buffy,
Hope your jaw is doing well, but always remember, if you can survive as mother of a teenager, you can survive ANYTHING!

Been there, done that (and glad they are grown now!)

Ginni in Wisconsin

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (buffyjo) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:38:11 PST
LMAO

You gals crack me up I'm sorry i have been working so much and my kids well 1 is 14 and geeze i forgot what a pain in the butt that age is . I will be back after work tonight to catch up a bit .

Thanks for caring

Love
Buff

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Michelle Denise) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:38:38 PST
Elaine,

You think we could get by with issuing an Amber Alert for Buffy? I know she is a little bit too old for an Amber Alert, but I think we could find her that way.

Michelle Denise

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Elaine2004) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:15:17 PST
Buff,
We are going to put out an APB(All Points Bulletin) if you don't come along soon. Some have been asking about you and if I have heard from you. We are all wondering how you are doing so please check in. I would like to know if you think the surgery was an improvement since it has been awhile.
Elaine

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Elaine2004) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:30:23 PST
Buff,
Haven't heard from you in awhile. Are you doing better?
Elaine

Re: Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (ginnic) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:36:19 PST
You don't treat them like trash when they are dealing with a major health problem. I am very sorry this is happening to you and I know this is no consolation at this time, but this will come back to her in the end.

Dear Michelle Denise,
Was just looking at this long series on TJR letters and saw your post from late September. How timely for me.

Because - my director for the past 7 years - essentially since I started on the long "active" TMJ road i.e. procedures, splints, surgeries, etc - anyway, she has just quit and left her position with relatively short notice. I don't blame her at all (long story) - but the admin. at my hospital where I work has been increasingly looking bottom line over past few years and we are going to have a...

Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

feeds@yuku.com (Elaine2004) — Sat, 02 Jul 2005 13:27:13 PST
Adverse events observed in the clinical use of the TMJ Implants Inc. Fossa-Eminence Prostheses are as follows in descending order of frequency)

Postoperative pain, swelling, jaw muscle spasm
Facial nerve and muscle weakness or paralysis
Ankylosis and Fibrosis
Other: trauma, nausea, condylar dislocation, malocclusion, blurry vision
Suspected allergic reaction
Heterotopic bone formation
Decreased interincisal opening
Joint locking
Malocclusion
Hearing loss/problems
Degenerative joint changes
Poor fit of custom prosthesis
Increased pain Adverse events observed in the clinical use of the TMJ Implants, Inc. Metal-on-Metal Total Joint Replacement System are listed below (in descending order of frequency of occurrence.)

Postoperative pain, swelling, jaw muscle spasm (10 subjects)
Facial nerve and muscle weakness or paralysis (9 subjects)
Dislocation of the joint (2 subjects)
Infection (2 subjects)...