Question:
My question is, since my surgery and they put the tube down my throat

The right side of my jaw is locked, and I cant seem to move my jaw around enough to unlocked. Has this ever happen to anyone that can tell me what to do to get it back where it was before surgery????. This is very uncomfortable. I am 5 days post-op.>>>thanks>>>Jay Biller    — jay B. (posted on January 19, 2001)

January 19, 2001
Jay, Congratulations--you made it. ...The jaw gets opened pretty wide when your muscles are very limp for a few seconds while the breathing tube is put in. If you really cannot move your jaw to talk or eat, and it's off kilter, it could be dislocated on one side. Unlikely, however, that you wouldn't know something was really wrong due to pain, etc. Much more likely the muscle at the jaw hinge was stretched too far and you have a strain injury. Ice or heat packs, gentle stretching (not open all the way just yet), and whatever anti-inflammmatory med your doc will allow should help until it heals. If that doesn't do it, see a doctor, as it may be something else, such as a nerve injury. Take care, and happy shrinking.--Jesse
   — Jesse M.

January 19, 2001
Dear Jay, I forgot to say that if it is just a muscle strain/sprain, etc. severe muscle spasm can still "freeze" the jaw so tightly it feels locked. That's why ice and eat help; they loosen the spasm .So does getting plenty of calcium and magnesium--Jesse
   — Jesse M.