After my first surgery in May of 1999, my surgeon ordered a Therabite and sent me to a physical therapist with experience using it. The help came for me in having someone else stretch it for me since I didn't have the strength (physical or mental) at that time to use it on myself effectively until it was a maintenance-only tool. I did find it to be more helpful than homemade tools, however. I was never able to regain complete pre-op opening of my jaw but it greatly improved chewing efforts or I would have been on liquids for the six years leading up to my current condition.

The main suggestion I remember as most helpful was to take my pain medicine about 20 minutes in advance of therapy/exercising to reduce my natural tension and resistance. The stretching of that scar tissue worked much better with a little medicinal help. (Of course I was also told a cocktail or two would have a similar effect!)

I wish you and your uncle success in resolving this frustrating problem!

Ruth