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TMJ injuries: what you should know

On Behalf of | Oct 12, 2020 | Blog, Car Accidents

When it comes to car accidents, it is often the case that injuries don’t make themselves apparent until a few days after the accident occurs. One of the most common conditions with delayed symptoms includes a TMJ injury. TMJ can lead to chronic pain in the jaw, neck and shoulders as well as produce severe headaches to individuals. This is why it is so important to make sure you seek medical attention the minute you begin to feel TMJ symptoms.

What is TMJ?

While the symptoms can reach various parts of the body, the issue is due to injury to the temporomandibular joints. This is where the jaw connects to the person’s skull. The temporomandibular joints are located on both sides of the skull and are responsible for providing the ability to yawn, chew and talk. When a severe injury occurs to these joints, they send out pain to a person’s ligaments and muscles. The length of TMJ injuries can last from a few months to even years.

Car accidents and TMJ injury

Although TMJ injuries can occur from any type of severe trauma to the head, the most common comes from auto accidents. The injury usually occurs when a person’s head is suddenly pushed forward or backward after being struck by another vehicle. This type of injury is also called whiplash. However, due to adrenaline, the pain from the injury might not be felt by the person.

Symptoms and documentation

Pain from this type of injury may not present itself immediately after the collision. This is why you should always accept medical attention because only a medical doctor can correctly oversee the extent of your injuries. In addition, if you later want to file a lawsuit against the driver at fault, you will be asked to present documentation to prove your injuries.

TMJ injuries can be a physically draining process. Add that stress to a legal court case, and everything becomes that much more daunting. This is why it may be helpful to seek legal advice from an attorney to handle your case while you recover.

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