Hi Everyone-
I'm new here and 10 days ago I had my salivary gland removed along with a large tumor. (I'm not sure if salivary glands fit in with mouth cancer but folks here seem very knowledgable and I hope someone can help!)

After the surgery I got trismus(face and jaw muscles tighten and I can't open my mouth). I've had it now for a week because I thought it was normal pain following surgery and ignored it. It's very painful and my doctor suggested a device called "therabite". Has anyone used this device, or do you know if there are alternate ways to release the muscles from their tightness?
Thank you, Melissa

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Melissa55,

Hi Melissa, welcome to the club nobody wants to join. You've come to the right place for help.There are a couple of members here who have had the same problem who will probably tell you what they did. Dr Joshi has lots of info. & will answer you soon I'm sure.. All the best.

Hello Melissa

The term 'mouth cancer' is a general descriptive term used to refer to cancer that can occur in any part of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, sinus, and other sites located in the head and neck area. So you are in the right place.

People with cancers of the head and neck usually have radiotherapy as part of their treatment. One of the possible side effects of treating this area of the body is restriction of jaw movement caused by tightening of the muscles (trismus). Between one in five and two in five of patients having radiotherapy to the head and neck will develop trismus, although it may not appear until 3–15 months after the treatment.

However, simple early treatment can help reduce this tightening through careful manipulation of the jaw. In the past this was mostly done with tongue depressors, but the Therabite device has been specifically designed to reduce trismus.

Studies have shown it to be much more effective than tongue depressors and more comfortable for the user. The user controls the device, which gently stretches the jaw muscles and mobilises the joint. Several of my patients use it.

You will find the Therabite useful. Do read our past discussions involving Therabite. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have a specific concern.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thank you Dr Joshi- I have read the posts and it sounds like the therabite will work in the long term. I have not had radiation yet, just the surgery where they removed a 5 x 3 tumor. Before going into the surgery I had some limited jaw opening(about 2 inches), but afterwards I can hardly open it to brush my teeth. The tightness and pain is unbearable, I guess I didn't notice right after the surgery because I was on strong painkillers. Now I'm taking Alleve which doesn't help much either. I do have 2 specific questions
1. Are there any short term things they can do(muscle relaxer, cortisone shot, etc) to make the muscles relax?
2. What type of doctor deals with this as an ongoing problem?(I'm seeing my surgeon next week but I'm not sure i'm going to get the help I'm looking for)
Thanks so much! Melissa

Hello Melissa

Muscles in spasm respond to heat (warm moist towels) and massage and gentle stretching to maximum (and then more) at frequent intervals. Analgesics (ibuprofen, etc) also help if the pain gets in the way.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod