← Return to Trismus (lock jaw) after Head & Neck cancer treatment: What helps?

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@nbkod7b

Thank you for bringing these discussions together. I was having trouble finding much on this topic which I still have trouble believing has occurred. I do not know the exact cause but it all goes back to the lymphoma in my mouth. I started having pain in my jaw and ear after I had a crown replaced so thought it was related to that. I saw several dentists with expertise in TMJ. Joint issues were ruled out. My mouth was slowly closing and I started having trouble speaking. That is when I was finally referred to an oncologist and tests came back with the cancer diagnosis. The expectation was that radiation would shrink the tumor and allow the jaw to open so that they could determine if surgery was necessary. With the radiation and subsequently chemo my mouth closed completely. I can get one tongue depressor between my upper and lower jaws by slowly working it in. I can then get a second one in with difficulty which is where I am now. I can't get a finger in my mouth between my teeth or move my tongue in order to do the related stretching exercises. That is why I am hopeful to hear from someone who found a way to recovery.

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Replies to "Thank you for bringing these discussions together. I was having trouble finding much on this topic..."

@inkbkod7b I really feel for you. Trismus has been a big problem for me since 2014 but I can get one forefinger plus between my top and bottom teeth and have been able to have surgery for various things. I was told by one max fax doctor that it was too late to get any improvement but I am making a renewed attempt. Someone told me that moving the mouth from side to side was an important exercise. I'm doing it a lot!
Apart from that is there any surgery that can be done? I have not been able to find any case studies after a quick Google although there is some mention of surgery. I wish you luck and understand how awful it must be.