Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Injuries from Auto Accidents

Many serious TMJ cases are missed entirely by Michigan personal injury lawyers unfamiliar with how fragile this area of the jaw is. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, or the jaw joint. The TMJ is the small joint in front of each ear that attaches the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. It allows you to perform such functions as opening and closing your mouth, chewing, speaking, swallowing, etc.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries refer to a complex and poorly understood set of conditions, manifested by pain the area of the jaw and associated muscles and limitations in the ability to make the normal movements of speech, facial expression, eating, chewing, and swallowing. Conditions that routinely affect other joints in the body, such as arthritis and trauma, also affect the TM joint.

TMJ syndrome can cause one or more of the following:

• facial pain
• pain in the jaw joint and surrounding tissues, including the ear
• jaw locking open or closed
• limited opening or inability to open the mouth comfortably
• headaches
• bite that feels uncomfortable, or "off", as if it is continually changing
• neck, shoulder and back pain
• swelling on the side of the face

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injury pain lasting for one week or less from a car or truck accident may not require medical or dental attention (TMJ treatment). Popping and clicking sounds in the joint have been considered TMJ symptoms. However, experts observe that many perfectly healthy joints make noise. Jaw noise unaccompanied by pain or decreased mobility does not indicate TMJ injury.

Sometimes temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries from auto accidents resolve over time with patients taking mild pain-relieving drugs and using heat, cold or other palliative measures. At present, there are more than 50 TMJ treatments in use ranging from very conservative, reversible therapies to more aggressive, invasive approaches. Surgical TMJ treatment for severe TMJ syndrome may also be effective.

A Michigan car accident, either directly to the joint or to the head and neck, can trigger a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injury. For example, a heavy blow to the side of the face can cause the bones of the joint to fracture or the disk to be displaced (put into an abnormal position).

A Michigan auto accident whiplash injury can stretch or tear tissues and ligaments, displace the disk, or even cause bleeding which leads to the formation of scar tissue, thereby decreasing mobility and causing pain.

Michigan automobile accidents or other traumatic events may precipitate clinical TMJ symptoms.

Michigan car accidents resulting in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries are often the subject of litigation. To protect your legal rights following a Michigan auto accident TMJ injury, it is generally wise to consult a Michigan TMJ attorney who is experienced handling TMJ injuries .

A Michigan TMJ lawyer can help "level the playing field" by providing TMJ syndrome victims with information regarding the practical and legal aspects of Michigan personal injury law. Michigan Auto Law has been handling temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injury cases for 50 years. We have achieved results and have the experience in handling these injuries that no other Michigan personal injury law firm can match.

For a review of your claim, please contact us.