Can pain due to injury of the neck or shoulder radiate to the jaw?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 27-year-old female. I have a shoulder and neck injury from an MVA, and after multiple surgeries, I am on medication. I started experiencing pain in my jaw. I was unable to bite down all the way; my left molars would not touch, and the pain was excruciating. Today the pain is still there when I eat and bite. I fear that I have somehow dislocated my jaw, and my pain medications are masking most of the pain.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

We welcome you to the iCliniq family.

I appreciate the confidence you place in me for your healthcare consultation.

The possible reason is cervical pain, due to compression of nerves between the spine. You will need a cervical spine AP/lateral view and may further need an MRI. You need to learn physiotherapy and use a neck collar. You should take the tablet Neurobion forte once a day which is a nerve vitamin. Regarding the jaw dislocation, it would be very painful and associated with the inability to close the mouth and the mouth will remain open, along with drooling of saliva. It is usually preceded by some trauma, seizures, or excessive yawning sometimes. If you have any of the features, then visit orthopedics and get yourself examined and get an X-ray urgently. This needs to be reduced then. Try opening and closing your mouth; if movement is smooth, then it is less likely to be a dislocation.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.