Officially diagnosed with osteoarthritis ahead of Bimax surgery

[NoaA99]

Had the scans done today for my upcoming Bimax for correcting a class 3 & borderline unilateral crossbite.
My right condyle is completely worn down and flattened, with significant displacement within the mandibular fossa.
The midline discrepancy has worsened by 4mm to the right (which was already obvious).
All within just 2 1/2 years since the last scan.
The ramus on the right side is obviously shorter, and due to that, there’s even more chronic pressure and pain contralateral (around the TMJ on the left).
The surgeon has officially described it as osteoarthritis.

I was aware of the possible implications, but I wouldn’t have expected things to progress this quickly- and obviously had to save up enough money first.
Insurance, in Germany, denied coverage several times back then, since I was, quote unquote, considered a borderline case JFL.

I haven’t received the scans for myself yet, so I’ll be reviewing them precisely on my own once I do and probably post them here.

Yes, it’s low-effort and basically just venting.
Of course, I would still really appreciate any advice from those who deal or have dealt with similar issues.

 

[yussimania]

damn so crossbites do end up causing ICR on one side of the joint, brutal shit bro i have dental crossbite with a class 2

was ur crossbite skeletal or dental?

im gonna assume skeletal since u said unilateral

 

[NoaA99]

damn so crossbites do end up causing ICR on one side of the joint, brutal shit bro i have dental crossbite with a class 2

was ur crossbite skeletal or dental?

im gonna assume skeletal since u said unilateral

Yes, it’s skeletal. Probably need a replacement now as well. She mentioned that relapse is more likely now.

General advice for you would be to get regular scans to monitor whether the condition is degenerative, in my case, it was probably inevitable. As I mentioned, it happened so quickly.

Unfortunately, discrepancies always lead to much more pressure on the joints and surrounding structures, and ultimately, faster degeneration.

 

[Chaotropic]

denied coverage several times back then, since I was, quote unquote, considered a borderline case JFL.

"borderline" cases always fuck people over, feel you man.
Mirin taking action.

 

[astatin]

Wnjoy being subhuman for 2years lol

 

[NoaA99]

"borderline" cases always fuck people over, feel you man.
Mirin taking action.

Yeah, thanks bro.
They really want to avoid covering it at all costs.
Borderline cases usually produce very similar symptoms and consequences, it’s not a straight cut-off obviously, with me being a prime example of that.

 

[Foreverbrad]

Truly feel bad for your situation. I hope that you will be eligible for TMJ replacement.

 

[NoaA99]

Truly feel bad for your situation. I hope that you will be eligible for TMJ replacement.

Thank you, let’s hope for the best.

It won’t be easy here in Germany, but my surgeon mentioned she would do her best to get it covered this time, and that it’s definitely more likely now (which it shouldn’t but whatever).

 

[Deleted member 308980]

Hey man sorry to hear that, im in a similar boat. Ramus way shorter on one side and fucked condyles with severe arthritis.
Hoffe die finden eine Lösung, keep me updated.

 

[NoaA99]

Hey man sorry to hear that, im in a similar boat. Ramus way shorter on one side and fucked condyles with severe arthritis.
Hoffe die finden eine Lösung, keep me updated.

Thanks, sounds horrible, you’re already in treatment, I suppose?
In your case, is the ramus deformity the actual root cause, or is it also about jaw misalignment and hence messed-up mechanics overall?
Have you already contacted surgeons?

It’s not really a question of whether solutions exist, they definitely do.
The actual question is whether insurance will cover any of it.
I don’t have endless funds either, and just Bimax + Rhino + maxillary downgraft will already cost me about 35 000- 40 000€.

I also have sleep apnea and hypertension, and those fuckers still refuse to pay.
After my initial sleep apnea diagnosis back in 2021, I got MSE (out of pocket as well), breathing improved somewhat, I went back to the sleep labour, but was only sleeping an hour or so and ended up borderline within normal range.
So, no sleep apnea detected, no coverage. I was extremely underweight at the time.

Now I wake up 20-30 times per night, heart rate shoots up to 150, BP around 140-150 on average, despite cialis, telmisartan, and eating extremely healthy.
Average heart rate is 84. It’s laughable considering I make 10 000+ steps every day, and eat healthier than 99% of the population.

 

[Prøphet]

That’s so brutal I’m sorry man

 

[LackEmpathyTherefor]

Thanks, sounds horrible, you’re already in treatment, I suppose?
In your case, is the ramus deformity the actual root cause, or is it also about jaw misalignment and hence messed-up mechanics overall?
Have you already contacted surgeons?

It’s not really a question of whether solutions exist, they definitely do.
The actual question is whether insurance will cover any of it.
I don’t have endless funds either, and just Bimax + Rhino + maxillary downgraft will already cost me about 35 000- 40 000€.

I also have sleep apnea and hypertension, and those fuckers still refuse to pay.
After my initial sleep apnea diagnosis back in 2021, I got MSE (out of pocket as well), breathing improved somewhat, I went back to the sleep labour, but was only sleeping an hour or so and ended up borderline within normal range.
So, no sleep apnea detected, no coverage. I was extremely underweight at the time.

Now I wake up 20-30 times per night, heart rate shoots up to 150, BP around 140-150 on average, despite cialis, telmisartan, and eating extremely healthy.
Average heart rate is 84. It’s laughable considering I make 10 000+ steps every day, and eat healthier than 99% of the population.

What if you redo a sleep analysis now?

 

[NoaA99]

What if you redo a sleep analysis now?

I will, but I need to do a home test first (through ENT).
Otherwise, I’ll end up paying a fortune to go back to the lab again.
I also have a cardiologist appointment on February 9th.

 

[LackEmpathyTherefor]

I will, but I need to do a home test first (through ENT).
Otherwise, I’ll end up paying a fortune to go back to the lab again.
I also have a cardiologist appointment on February 9th.

Nice make sure you overeat and drink before sleeping so you choke in ur sleep

 

[lurking truecel]

Nice make sure you overeat and drink before sleeping so you choke in ur sleep

And benzo

 

[Deleted member 308980]

Thanks, sounds horrible, you’re already in treatment, I suppose?
In your case, is the ramus deformity the actual root cause, or is it also about jaw misalignment and hence messed-up mechanics overall?
Have you already contacted surgeons?

Yes im talking with my OMF about the case. I think mine was triggerd by malocclusion as a child and/or bad posture. Something got messed up eitherway. We saw severe degeneration in my scans and I think the treatment is gonna TJR + Bimax. But yeah the process is tiring, all those visits and scans.

 

[Deleted member 308980]

And the physical pain is insane too…

 

[Buterman]

Had the scans done today for my upcoming Bimax for correcting a class 3 & borderline unilateral crossbite.
My right condyle is completely worn down and flattened, with significant displacement within the mandibular fossa.
The midline discrepancy has worsened by 4mm to the right (which was already obvious).
All within just 2 1/2 years since the last scan.
The ramus on the right side is obviously shorter, and due to that, there’s even more chronic pressure and pain contralateral (around the TMJ on the left).
The surgeon has officially described it as osteoarthritis.

I was aware of the possible implications, but I wouldn’t have expected things to progress this quickly- and obviously had to save up enough money first.
Insurance, in Germany, denied coverage several times back then, since I was, quote unquote, considered a borderline case JFL.

I haven’t received the scans for myself yet, so I’ll be reviewing them precisely on my own once I do and probably post them here.

Yes, it’s low-effort and basically just venting.
Of course, I would still really appreciate any advice from those who deal or have dealt with similar issues.

will pray for you my nigga

 

[lurking truecel]

Yes im talking with my OMF about the case. I think mine was triggerd by malocclusion as a child and/or bad posture. Something got messed up eitherway. We saw severe degeneration in my scans and I think the treatment is gonna TJR + Bimax. But yeah the process is tiring, all those visits and scans.

TJR is a awful surgery, and is also only well performed by a small amount of surgeons. I would avoid it at all cost. If you really need it then it is what it is. But there are other options to take before doing the most drastic

 

[NoaA99]

Yes im talking with my OMF about the case. I think mine was triggerd by malocclusion as a child and/or bad posture. Something got messed up eitherway. We saw severe degeneration in my scans and I think the treatment is gonna TJR + Bimax. But yeah the process is tiring, all those visits and scans.

I can relate. Please keep me updated on your case, and all the best with your upcoming surgeries.
In retrospect, it’s really hard to determine the exact cause, and it’s likely multifactorial anyway.

 

[NoaA99]

And the physical pain is insane too…

Unbearable, I agree, need painkillers with almost every meal. It also lead to grinding during the night.
Hopefully, things will improve substantially after surgery.

 

[Deleted member 308980]

Will keep you updated, its such a damn niche issue too