Common symptoms of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) can include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Children with JIA may experience fatigue, fever, rash, and eye inflammation. The severity and combination of symptoms can vary among individuals and may affect one or multiple joints in the body.
At the age of 12, this patient underwent a discectomy and fat graft application to address pain in her temporomandibular joint. This discectomy and fat graft unfortunately failed to address the pain, limited jaw function, unresolved joint issues, and jaw misalignment. It did not stabilize the lower jaw causing it to recede extensively over the years. She came to see Dr. Movahed at age 17 with a severe anterior open bite, which refers to a lack of contact between the front teeth when the jaws are closed. She also had a restricted airway and retrognathia, a condition where the upper and lower jaws are set further back than normal, affecting facial appearance and jaw function. During surgery, Dr. Movahed performed a Bilateral Total Joint Replacement and a Lefort 1 Segmental Osteotomy. The anterior open bite was corrected, allowing proper alignment and contact between her front teeth. The constricted airway was expanded, improving her breathing. The temporomandibular joint was replaced eliminating the joint pain she was experiencing. Additionally, the retrognathia of her maxilla and mandible was addressed, resulting in restored jaw function.