Monday, March 16, 2009

For those interested...

News of the Jaw Pain Unfolds...

Diagnosis: MRI shows Internal Joint Derangement without Reduction

The superior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle may pull the articular disk out of place when abnormal jaw mechanics place unusual stress on the joint. Abnormal jaw mechanics can be due to congenital or acquired asymmetries or to the sequelae of trauma or arthritis. If the disk remains anterior, the derangement is said to be without reduction. Restricted jaw opening (locked jaw) and pain in the ear and around the temporomandibular joint result. If at some point in the joint's excursion the disk returns to the head of the condyle, it is said to be with reduction. Derangement with reduction occurs in about 1/3 of the population at some point. All types of derangement can cause capsulitis (or synovitis), which is inflammation of the tissues surrounding the joint (eg, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, synovium).

Mouth splint: awkward piece of acrylic that costs over $1200 which will somehow make things better (at least in 30% of cases)

Insurance Debacle: Blue Cross has specifically crafted the language of their terms so that NOTHING related to the TMJ (syndrome or joint itself) will be covered...Jesus...I have already racked up close to $4000 on this "derangement." The mysteries of the insurance companies...

1 comment:

jillbertini said...

It's no mystery. They don't want to pay out; they want to take your premium and run (or use it to lobby congress so that we don't get a single-payer health care system that would put them out of business). They don't give a damn about your health; only their money.