5 Types of Arthritis That Can Cause TMJ

The underlying causes of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) in Queens can vary considerably from person to person. One condition that can result in TMJ is arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, that affects the temporomandibular junction. There are several types of arthritis that can occur in Queens that cause TMJ pain. These include infectious arthritis, traumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and secondary degenerative arthritis.

#1: Infectious Arthritis and TMJ

Infectious arthritis, sometimes called “septic arthritis,” is a joint inflammation caused by an infectious agent such as a virus or bacterium. When infectious arthritis causes TMJ, it is usually spread in the blood from an infection in an adjacent area. The jaw becomes inflamed, and movement becomes painful. TMJ due to infection is rare in Queens, but the condition is considered serious. Fortunately, it can usually be treated with antibiotics, antivirals, and other standard treatments for infections.

#2: Traumatic Arthritis and TMJ

Traumatic arthritis in Queens is caused by an acute injury. In cases of TMJ associated with traumatic arthritis, the problem usually occurs after an event such as a difficult tooth extraction or endotracheal intubation. Like TMJ due to infectious arthritis, traumatic arthritis causing TMJ is rare. It is usually treated with NSAIDs, hot compresses to reduce swelling, a diet of soft foods to minimize pain while chewing, and limitation of jaw movement.

#3: Osteoarthritis and TMJ

Osteoarthritis can affect the jaw joint and cause TMJ in Queens, usually in people over the age of 50. Osteoarthritis is a common condition among older Americans, in which mechanical stress causes damage to the bones and joints. Osteoarthritis causing TMJ usually involves stiffness, crepitus, and relatively mild to moderate jaw pain affecting the jaw bilaterally. The symptoms are usually treated as needed, although some osteoarthritic TMJ patients in Queens benefit from a mouth guard device.

#4: Rheumatoid Arthritis and TMJ

Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by mechanical stress to the joints with insufficient self-repair, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In many people with rheumatoid arthritis in Queens, the temporomandibular junction is among the affected joints. TMJ caused by rheumatoid arthritis is often characterized by pain and swelling, along with limited jaw movement. NSAIDs are often used to reduce pain, and some patients also benefit from splints or mouth guards. In some cases, TMJ associated with rheumatoid arthritis can lead to ankylosis, a kind of joint stiffness that results from abnormal adhesion and rigidity in the joint bones.

#5: Secondary Degenerative Arthritis and TMJ

Secondary degenerative arthritis generally arises either after trauma to the joint, or as a result of a condition called myofascial pain syndrome. People in Queens who have TMJ due to secondary degenerative arthritis often experience pain on one side during jaw movement, along with joint tenderness and crepitus (grating or grinding sounds emitted from the joint). The ability to open the mouth is also sometimes limited. Diagnostically, TMJ with this type of arthritis can often be distinguished from osteoarthritis because in osteoarthritis, both sides of the jaw are usually affected. The symptoms can sometimes resolve when the TMJ is treated with a splint that is worn for a period of time. Sometimes, injection of corticosteroids directly into the joint can also be helpful in reducing the pain.

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