The TMJ allows you to open and close your mouth, chew, and speak. Dysfunction of this joint can lead to pain, clicking, locking, or restricted movement â often described as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
In this procedure, your consultant injects a small volume of local anaesthetic, and in many cases, a low-dose corticosteroid, directly into the joint space. This is done using ultrasound or anatomical guidance to ensure accurate placement.
The steroid helps reduce inflammation in the joint, while the local anaesthetic provides immediate (but temporary) pain relief. In some cases, this also helps confirm whether the joint is the primary source of symptoms.
TMJ injections may be helpful for:
This is a short outpatient procedure, usually taking 15â20 minutes. Youâll lie in a comfortable position while the area is cleaned. Your consultant will identify the joint using landmarks or ultrasound and gently insert a fine needle into the TMJ.
You may feel a brief pressure or pop, followed by numbness in the area. Most people can go home the same day and resume light activity shortly after. Chewing soft food and avoiding jaw strain is often advised for the first 24â48 hours.
Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Your consultant will discuss whether this procedure is appropriate for you.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
Driving advice: You should not drive that day if receiving any sedation. Our procedures do vary on whether they are possible to drive home from yourself, please seek advice from your consultant about driving advice. If you are seeing us for an injection and planning on driving, please check with us beforehand about whether it will be possible to drive yourself home afterwards.
Wessex Pain Clinic provides consultant-led assessment and treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Our multidisciplinary team includes Consultant Pain Specialists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists, offering evidence-based interventions alongside rehabilitation and self-management support. We welcome patients from across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey and Sussex, including Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Chichester â with both in-clinic appointments and remote consultations available across the wider Wessex region. Wessex Pain Clinic provides consultant-led assessment and treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Our multidisciplinary team includes Consultant Pain Specialists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists, offering evidence-based interventions alongside rehabilitation and self-management support. We welcome patients from across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey and Sussex, including Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Chichester â with both in-clinic appointments and remote consultations available across the wider Wessex region.
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
