Christensen Fossa Prosthesis in TMJ SUPPORT Forum

Christensen Fossa Prosthesis

Author	Comment
ginnic	TJRs	#81	[-]
Posts: 460 (07/14/09 00:06:21) Member I Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I CAN REMOVE is 100 times more important than IQ. Remove this ad 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 talking, looking, research, talking some more. I had total jaw joint replacement bilaterally with the TMJ Concepts (TM) custom constructed joints - made from a 3D CT scan of my joints - I did it. -It hurt less postoperative than it did preoperatively. In fact I used less medicine in the hospital than I did preop at home. -I am 3 weeks out and rapidly weaning down on all pain meds after taking Vicodin, MS Contin and various other drugs to get me through each and every day and night previously -My jaw joint is BLESSEDLY silent - prev my L jaw just cracked and crunched and was exquistely tender to touch or movement - I always felt like someone had an ice pick in my left jaw joint. -I have gone from a diet of ice cream, soft stuff and Slim Fast to eating pizza, beef tenderloin, roasted plantain chips, apples etc. Stuff I hadn't touched in years. -I have no complaints. Nor do I have any reservations that this is NOT the way to go for everyone, NOT everyone is a candidate for this by any means. I did my homework VERY carefully. I don't mean to say I will never have any problems in the future. I work as a surgical recovery nurse and I know occ we get a hip or knee pt and the screws have loosened, etc. But these are things that can always be considered a risk. If I lived in a glass bottle maybe there would be no risks. But that is not life. I know that many many of the people on here have had bad experiences with earlier joint work and I am sorry that happened to them But I DO think that artificial parts are the wave of the future for many body parts and have been for a long time for other body parts. If anyone truly wishes to speak with me let me know, I will be glad to do so. I had earlier found the lack of positive postop TJR patients rather discouraging to say the least (never mind that many people were not supportive and told me I was nuts to do this) I did finally find a board where there are many satisfied TJR patients from both this country and in the UK area. Yes, there are occ compications. Again, that is life. But some of us have said we take a stance and say I know the risks but I DO NOT want to live like "this" the rest of my life - I have to take a leap of faith - let go and let God. It worked for me finally. It DID cure my pain. Which was JOINT caused. NOT MUSCULAR. I wish others the same pain free discovery if they are looking for it and are proper candidates for it. Good luck. Ginni Last Edited By: ginnic 07/14/09 00:09:48. Edited 1 times.
Cymy Sue		#82	[-]
Posts: 7276 (07/14/09 05:35:12) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	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 muscular problems developed after the trauma of years of failed surgeries) Braces, Splints, Pt and other treatments didn't work for me either. Had Concepts and the surgical experience needed to perform this surgery been available, I would have been a prime candidate..........this would have been many years ago and prior to other surgeries. This would have been over 20 years ago. Actually about 30 years ago when I was first diagnosed. However, the tools for diagnostics, the appropriate surgeries, and the knowledge to know what we needed (then) was not available. I am one of many who came before anyone really knew what to do and what would work. We've been called guinea pigs or lab rats. I prefer pioneers. I will not believe that all we suffered has been in vain. I know we have a long way to go with TMJD treatment, but I have to believe all that has been done before, has and will lead to better treatment, better diagnostics and the knowledge to know when people need non-invasive treatment or when that will not work. I know I am probably one of the few blessed people who has gotten better after so many failed surgeries. It took a very long time and many avenues of treatment. My prayer is that many more will find what I have. Some way to live and function almost normally with what they have left, if or when another surgical procedure won't help. I (too) believe replacements of all types, artficial and organic will be our future. It's terribly sad that medical research of all types has slowed down for the past decade. In the 90's, there was so much hope.........however, I think we will see a return of funded Medical Reseach for all types of ailments and surgical procedures. I hope it's soon because I've been told for almost 2 years, I will need a knee replacement. Believe it or not, this is due to a very minor meniscus repair that should have worked perfectly ( it didn't). A second surgery to try and correct the mess has given me some time, along with a high-tech knee and leg brace. They tell me I need it now, but I'm too young.... You're absolutely right. Many of our members are forever damaged from many years of failed surgeries, including Joint Replacements. I'm not aware of any reports on this forum of TMJ Concepts replacements, bad or good. I know other and older types have been discussed. I am sorry that you didn't believe you would have been supported here with your decision. I believe you would have been. Others have, but it's been a while. I think we've had people who have or would consider this surgery seriously, but their insurance won't allow it. I am so very happy for you and happy to hear from you. I hope you will come back when you have a minute. I know there are many people who could benefit from a Joint Replacement procedure that works and I don't think anyone expects total perfection in any surgical procedure at this point in time. I hope you and the group you have found will take a few minutes occasionally and relay your experiences to other groups. I 'm happy you've found a home with people who have experienced what you have and I hope you will visit here again. I truly would like to know of your progress and I'm sure many others would also. Thank you.
Michelle Denise		#83	[-]
Posts: 6580 (07/14/09 10:44:52) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	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 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 Your Signature ... Michelle
lu jones		#84	[-]
Posts: 3153 (07/14/09 10:55:19) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Ginni, Thanks for checking in. I'm glad you had a good surgeon and are doing OK. It is nice to know. Lu
ginnic		#85	[-]
Posts: 460 (07/16/09 00:13:34) Member I Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	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 wait until much later in life as they had problems if the joints needed "redoing". They now realize how long the joints can last for most people and it is a long time - they have also worked out many of the problems that made redoing a joint difficult. So if you are in that much pain and your insurance would cover the knee I would investigate it! I have SO many patients coming back to do the "other one" (knee, hip, shoulder) and they say "Oh if I had only known, I would have done this a long time ago! And yes, that is sad that you had so many jaw surgeries that you were told you would probably not be a good candidate. There is a "cutoff" point after which they say the success rate goes way down. I was just at the grey zone and that is another reason I went ahead with the Concepts surgery now. It seems to have proven to be a good move. I ate another apple today, yum!
feelines		#86	[-]
Posts: 1878 (07/16/09 23:43:35) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I CAN REMOVE is 100 times more important than IQ. Remove this ad 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....
Cymy Sue		#87	[-]
Posts: 7276 (07/17/09 08:35:54) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	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 have altered and changed to compensate for the weak knee. At this point, I'm wearing a knee unloader leg brace to try and get my leg muscles to return to as normal as possible. It helps the knee pain and I can already see changes in my leg and the way I walk. At some point, I hope all will be well enough to think about a replacement if I truly need one..... Last Edited By: Cymy Sue 07/18/09 05:28:54. Edited 1 times.
buffyjo		#88	[-]
Posts: 681 (09/26/09 21:43:05) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	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 !!! Buffy Jo
Growlsburg		#89	[-]
Member Posts: 8 (03/19/11 18:34:26) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	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.
Elaine2004		#90	[-]
Posts: 2777 (03/28/11 08:37:46) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	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 TMJ Surgeries 1978, 1989, 1997 L5-S1 Back Fusion-2000 L4-L5 Back Fusion 2002
Michelle Denise		#91	[-]
Posts: 6580 (03/28/11 17:26:56) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I CAN REMOVE is 100 times more important than IQ. Remove this ad Elaine, That is kind of where my thinking is lately. I am just hoping my luck holds out. Your Signature ... Michelle

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Christensen Fossa Prosthesis