Hey!
I've had TMJ problems for the last 3 years now... and I'm a nurse. I have a few questions for you to see if I understand your situation.
1) were you in any accidents, trauma?
2) why exactly did you get your surgery on your TMJ? and why was it removed?
3) what exactly is hurting you? where, when, how long?
4) What would you consider how active you are? from sedentary to exercise at least 30 mins every day?
5) are you overweight?
From my own personal experience with this problem, pain effects EVERYTHING. The position we sleep in, how we stand, how we deal with life, etc. If you are moving your body in a way that its not naturally meant to, over time, it can stress out muscles, joints and the like. What commonly happens, when we're not feeling well, we tend to sleep more, sit around the house more, and not exercise ourself and become deconditioned and weaker. A LOT of back pain stems from muscle weakness, especially in the abdominal region, so if you have a bigger gut or are inactive, I would certainly center your focus to incorporating exercise, stretching, and strengthening your core muscles. As for your arm, if your muscles are tight in one area, it gets loose in another. If this clicking is a new issue for you (all my joints click everyday and that's normal for me) I would go book yourself an appointment to see a massage therapist. If there is any tension in any muscles (which sounds like your chest and shoulder muscles have it!!) they can find them and work the knots out. Same for the rest of your body, do yourself the favour. I have crooked neck muscles and my head is to the side if i don't consciously make it right, because of my problem.
Jaw joint problems happen to people for a wide variety of issues, and especially surgery--everyone is unique. Because of the lack of success of TMJ surgery, I know surgeons in Canada do not want to perform them often.
I'm not an expert, but I'm with your doctors on this one. Usually a problem that is connected would affect all the joints of your body-- why just the jaw and not your knees or hips?
Suggestions:
-massage
-daily exercise (even 15 mins of slow walking a day to start)
-yoga-- does wonders for the mind, but most importantly stretches and strengthens all areas of your body and helps with pain, working with any restrictions you have.
- check out your bed and pillow: is it a good bed? do you have a supportive pillow? sleep with a pillow between your knees helps with lower back discomfort.
- what shoes do you wear? if you have a foot problem without knowing it, it can affect every inch of your body and cause pain.
This pain is telling you something needs to change, so hopefully you can find that solution! I had to quit my stressful job (hardest decision of my life) to decrease my pain levels. I suffered from severe tmj pain, off for a year (I'm 26 now) and suffered greatly. Making small choices everyday really does change the final result-- i'm living proof and I had not a lot of hope for myself. I'm glad being a nurse gives me flexibility :)
Hang in there!
Did you have your right TMJ removed?
Is the popping noise in the arm upon raising it?
What type of pain is in the jaw, neck, back and arm?
Yes right tmj was removed. Popping is when i raise arm and then pull it down.
I can feel it br my clvicle by throat area. I have jaw, neck, shoulder , arm pain,
from muscles, ligaments, nerves etc. The tendons in both arms are always real sore
etc. With having spinal surgery also and short leg i have alott of lower body issue.
I need a knee replacement. Thanks, Tim