Any radiographers here that could answer a quick question for me?

[Faceache25]

I have a long standing problem with my jaw, TMJ disorder/TMD. Always been told it was due to displacement of the disk in the joint which causes my jaw to suddenly lock shut. When disk eventually pops back into place I can suddenly move jaw again.

Having a flare up currently, jaw locked shut for several days now. Hospital today took an x-ray and said disk was in the right place and problem is caused by muscle spasm.

I didn't think it was possible to really see the disks on a normal x-ray, and that an MRI was needed to see their placement. Does anyone know if this is the case?

Bump!

Not an expert.
The disc is cartilage and won’t show up on a panoramic radiograph.

That's what I think (vague health background but not an expert) - but I asked the nurse and they said that the x-ray showed the disks in place. Urgh. I don't want to be 'that' patient but I'm wondering if I should push for an MRI.

It is possible to see the outline of the discs on a plain XRay. The radiographer will also look at the placement of the bone surrounding the disc and if it is where it should be the disc will be in place if you see what I mean. If the disc is displaced the bone will be too. You should still ask for an MRI.

@Suebnm that's really helpful thank you. Am currently in A&E referred by my GP as no improvement, can't eat, and the 50mg of amitriptyline plus the diazepam I've been given knocks me out too much, I'm a single parent to a 10 month old so can't risk being that out of it.

I'm really at the end of being able to cope with this. Will ask for an MRI today.

@Faceache25

How did you get on?