Early Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Arthritis
Dec 06, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
1. Joint clicking: Ligamentous laxity of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), increased joint range of motion, and mild disc displacement—spontaneously reducible during movement; however, joint clicking occurs when TMJ pain is present.
2. Limited jaw movement: TMJ pain may exacerbate disc displacement.
3. Joint pain: Primarily manifests as pain in the TMJ region or surrounding masticatory muscles during mouth opening or chewing.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis is a relatively common condition encountered in daily life. Many individuals experience associated symptoms, such as joint pain, joint clicking or popping sounds, headache, neck pain, and pain affecting the face and ears. Currently, the exact cause of TMJ arthritis remains unclear. If any of the above symptoms occur, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are recommended. So, what are the early signs of TMJ arthritis? Below, we address this question.
Early Symptoms of TMJ Arthritis
1. Joint Clicking or Popping
Laxity of the TMJ ligaments increases joint mobility and causes mild displacement of the articular disc. During movement, the disc may spontaneously reposition itself. However, in cases of TMJ pain, audible or palpable joint clicking or popping often occurs.
2. Restricted Jaw Movement
TMJ pain may lead to increased disc displacement, mild disc deformation and thickening, and intermittent joint locking—resulting in restricted jaw movement.
3. Joint Pain
Pain typically occurs during mouth opening or chewing, localized to the joint area or surrounding masticatory muscles. If structural damage to the joint or muscle spasm is present, tenderness may be elicited upon palpation of the affected joint region or muscle tissue.
4. Structural Changes
In severe cases of TMJ pain, jaw movement becomes markedly restricted, with significant disc thickening, deformation, and displacement. Chronic, persistent pain is often exacerbated during chewing.
5. Other Associated Symptoms
These may include headache, dizziness, tinnitus, ear fullness, blurred or strained vision, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and discomfort or soreness in the masticatory muscles.
The above outlines the early symptoms of TMJ arthritis. We hope this information is helpful to you.
