My trismus came on gradually or I wasn't paying attention because of other health issues. I completed radiation for oral cancer (tongue and inside right cheek of my mouth) in November 2011, Almost 3 YEARS AGO. I knew I couldn't open my mouth very wide but I didn't worry about it and my ent surgeon didn't say anything other than "practice opening your mouth wide" without explaining.
This summer my mouth was getting harder to open. I need to cut my food into small pieces. I don't have any saliva (another issue due to radiation) and drink lots of water with meals.
I finally asked my surgeon about what he called "trismus" and he asked if I wanted therapy? Why the ..... didn't he offer it sooner?
I am now seeing a physical therapist who specializes in treating trismus and I use tongue blades and a couple of other stretching exercises. Has this worked for anyone or does the therabite work better? THANK YOU
My history includes 3 stage 1 cancers in my mouth and Non Hodgkins Lymphoma at the same time as the first tongue cancer (2009).
In addition I have had chemo for the Lymphoma, and hyperbaric oxygen treatments before and after teeth extractions.