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fell and hit jaw, opinions please
I was moving a heavy object two days ago, and ending up losing traction on the pavement due to wearing slick shoes. i fell right into a metal toolbox on the left side of my face. it cut my ear and made a gash on my cheek, but nothing serious there. i have a sensitive bruise above my ear as well. my main problem is my jaw. i struggle with opening my mouth wide but NO PAIN at all oddly. when i do open it, its like my jaw sort of sticks out on the side i hit, but once again, no pain. it does look odd because i don’t exactly know what is sticking out of my face but i assume it’s my jaw. my teeth line up so it’s not out of place i don’t think, but i’m not sure. when i do open my jaw, it’s like someone is pressing on the joint with their thumb. it’s an uncomfortable feeling but not painful enough for it to be fractured or broken. could it just be a sore or swollen muscle? i’ve never fallen like this before so i’m not sure if i should go to the doctor or if this is something that’s gonna work itself out. it’s not hurting whatsoever, so i’m not sure what could be wrong.
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@abbynp2004
Just because you have no pain doesn’t mean there is nothing wrong. I have seen too many people walking around with stress fractures that led to complications solely because nothing hurt. Go to the doctor who will probably refer you for X-rays or even an ENT specialist. While I am glad you seemed to have survived this unlucky fall, I am concerned that the area that was impacted is so close to your eyes, ears and brain. Please don’t self diagnose solely based on what you think it may be. I know we don’t like to go to doctors if we think we really don’t have to. Let the doctor decide.
FL Mary
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1 ReactionYou need an X-ray. The “quickest “ route to referral may be the ER. In our well served medical community an oral surgeon is frequently consulted to repair a broken jaw.
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1 ReactionI second the advice that you get an xray and suggest you do so sooner rather than later.
I recently had a bad fall landing on the under side of my chin. I got 3 stitches in my chin and could tell I cracked 2 teeth. My jaw did not feel right, and I did not have any pain. But a CT scan showed that my jawbone was broken in multiple places on both sides.
I was transferred from my local ER to a regional trauma center which happened to have oral maxillofacial surgeons on call. So I was able to have surgery right away and ended up with my mouth being wired shut for 6 weeks.
The main point is that I had no idea my jaw was so screwed up until they did the CT scan.
Hey Abby - sorry for what happened.
I agree with others - get to an Urgent Care or ER asap, if you haven't already, and get an X-ray. Something could be fractured or dislocated and you want to treat what you can as soon as you can.
All the best to you, and please keep us posted.
Joe
Good points Mary. I recently dislocated my hip, which had recently been replaced. In the ER they immediately xrayed my hip. Then they took me back to X-ray my femur and knee to make sure there were no fractures. Fortunately there weren't. The point is that medical professionals will know what to look for based on symptoms. You don't wanna guess.