Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD) have been causing immense suffering for millions of Americans, with many patients enduring extreme measures in search of relief. A joint investigation by KFF Health News and CBS News has shed light on the harrowing experiences of TMJ patients, revealing the persistent lack of understanding, research, and effective treatment for these disorders.
The investigation uncovered shocking stories of patients undergoing multiple surgeries, with some resorting to drastic measures in their quest for respite. One patient in Maine underwent six surgeries to replace parts of her jaw joints, while another in California resorted to using a screwdriver to lengthen her jawbone daily. In New York, a patient had bone and fat grafts from her rib and belly, and even had a prosthetic eyeball inserted into her joint as a temporary measure while awaiting metal hinges for her jaw.
Jenny Feldman, a 50-year-old TMJ patient from New York City, expressed her ordeal, having undergone at least 24 TMJ-related surgeries since her teenage years. She likened her experience to feeling like a ‘Mr. Potato Head,’ with ribs and eyeballs being moved around in her face, leaving her feeling like a toy assembled by someone ‘just tinkering around.’
Despite the prevalence of TMJ disorders, affecting up to 33 million Americans according to the National Institutes of Health, the investigation revealed that these conditions remain poorly understood, under-researched, and inadequately treated. Dentists have been attempting to address TMJ for nearly a century, yet patients continue to face ineffective care and, in some cases, are subjected to a cycle of futile surgeries that ultimately lead to the replacement of their jaw joints with metal hinges.
The investigation has brought to light the dire need for improved understanding, research, and treatment of TMJ disorders. It underscores the urgency for more effective and compassionate care for the millions of individuals grappling with the debilitating effects of these conditions.
