What is an Arthrotomy?

Arthrotomy
Indications: Dislocated/damaged discs, bony aberrations and ankylosis, severe adhesions
Description: TMJ arthrotomy is an open joint surgery performed in patients who have intolerable and/or intractable TMJ pain. Most patients have failed non-surgical treatment and/or arthroscopic surgery. This is the surgery of choice for patients with bony intracapsular ankylosis. Open joint procedures include discoplasty (meniscoplasty, repair and/or relocation of the disc), discectomy (meniscectomy, removal of the disc with or without replacement), condylectomy, condylotomy, and total or partial joint replacement.
Arthrotomy is an open TMJ surgery involved making an incision over the joint area in front of the ear. The incision usually extends from inside the sideburn area, then in front of the top of the ear then extending into the ear itself. The part that extends into the ear is placed there to hide incision from view. This “skin flap” is then reflected forward to expose the underlying layers.
The fascial layer is exposed and reflected, exposing the TMJ capsule. The capsule is opened, revealing the disk (meniscus). This is usually the structure causing your symptoms. The disk is carefully examined, its position, thickness, smoothness, and flexibility is noted. The bony surfaces of the TMJ are examined: special care is taken to identify rough surfaces, sharp edges, cavities or anatomical abnormalities. If the disk is healthy enough it is repaired; repair involves pulling the disk into a more normal position and holding it there with stitches (sutures).
If the disk is abnormally stretched out it is “tightened” by taking a wedge of tissue out behind the disk and suturing the edges together. If the disk is damaged beyond repair it must be removed; if an excessively damaged disk is not removed it may continue to cause the same symptoms after surgery. This final decision to repair or remove the disk is made after directly examining the disk at surgery.
After the disk is repaired/removed the bony surfaces are examined; any excessively rough surfaces are smoothed out with surgical files. If the disc was removed the surgeon will decide whether to not replace the disc, to implant a temporary disc, or to replace it with a graft of tissue from the patient.

Post-procedure care: Thermal therapy, pain medication, aggressive physical therapy including motion therapy, close and frequent follow ups.

A very happy belated to Kathleen!

Happy Birthday for August 26th!
You are very much loved and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

I am actually becoming a happy individual....

Yes, yes its true I have met my match. And he is just darling. I have never been so happy in my life. Since I am at work I can only write so much on it, but I will be back to explain this wonderful man!

Sitting at work

Ok so I am sitting at the hospital once again, bored out of my mind. Ready to go home..... Just finally able to get back into my blog for the first time in ages. Thank goodness I write things down....

Another day at the good ol' hospital

Working with mom today and she has made me stay the whole entire shift. Now, I don't mind working when there is work to be done. But there is nothing to be done. Nothing, not a thing. Sigh..... Here she comes.

A very happy and late Birthday to Miss Ursula.....

Happy Happy Birthday to Miss Ursula today!
I am so sorry this is late.
But I hope you had a blessed birthday!

Much love and many hugs!
Jess

Holly's Fashion Show

Here are some pictures from Holly's Fashion show, except there are no photos of her here :( Just me, mom, and Heather.

What a great time we had she won, best photo book. So very proud of her too, little sisters are the best!

Big Picture update

Here are some pictures I came across while tweeking with some new ones.

College Grad.....

My Happiest Goals go towards them having a great life together!

Oh what a day....

Just got home from a very hectic day at work and I am truly tired, only work for seven or so hours but it feels more like 16 hours. Images was hoppin today with the phone calls the cleaning of Tara's office and finding out another co-worker is pregnant! That means two new bundles of joy I get to see come into this world and two new mom's that love to ask me questions, which I love. So........... since I am now home I have to get started on some much needed homework and rest. I know of one girl who is going to bed early.... Me.

Time to go home...

Well my night here at the wonderful hospital is coming to an end. I wanted to add that I am making a scrapbook for my sister that is getting married, this scrapbook is going to be about their engagement, and their years of dating. Sigh........... To be able to say I could spend the rest of my life with someone is hard, and probably even harder to find, that is why I am not looking nor even trying. If God wants to bless me with someone great then so be it but until then, no way, as selfish as it sounds I wanna finish school and become something else of myself instead of just an interior designer. I want to make a difference even if no one notices it. I feel that is my calling and I am going to do it. Well night all. Have a blessed day tomorrow!

Monday at the old mill

So today is Monday and I am sitting here at UCH, came in around 3 from my other job which is a lot of hussle and bussle but I love it, it keeps me on my toes. Not feeling the best today the side of my face hurts from grinding my teeth but not to worry I go see Dr. Castellano tomorrow! I am so ready to fix this problem.

Well just got an admission, I have to do some work now. Hooray!