TMJ Disease

Rheumatoid Arthritis and TMJ

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can cause pain and aching in the TMJ. Left untreated, it may deform both the the ball end of the jawbone and the the socket formed by the surrounding temporal bone.

When the joint is inflamed, the normal joint fluid is no longer sufficient to lubricate the joint when it moves. The result is friction, which causes significant pain and aching in the joint. This makes certain activities, such as chewing or talking on the phone, painful and frustrating. (Inflammation can also be caused by conditions such as infection in the joint, and stretched or torn ligaments surrounding the joint.)

Although rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, the combination of arthrocentesis, anti-inflammatory medications and heat can greatly reduce inflammation and pain. If the inflammation is too severe or prolonged, and if the joint has been deformed, partial or total joint replacement surgery may be necessary.