Broken jaw is a term used to describe a variety of fractures that can occur in your upper or lower jaw bones. Depending on circumstances, fractures of this type can be relatively mild or severe. In most cases, milder jaw fractures require no special rehabilitation, while rehabilitation for more severe fractures varies from person to person.
Basics
You can break your jawbone at any point along its surface. Common causes for a fracture include sports- or exercise-related injuries, car and motorcycle accidents, industrial accidents and assaults by other human beings. In the majority of cases, the main fracture point in your jaw is accompanied by a smaller, secondary fracture located somewhere near your jaw's attachment points, or condyles. If you have a slight or mild jaw fracture, you may not need a surgical repair. However, moderate and severe breaks frequently require surgery, which may include the placement of wires linked to your opposite jawbone, which hold your mouth shut and give your fractured bone time to heal.
Determining Rehabilitation Needs
If you have a single fracture that causes relatively minor damage, you usually don't need to follow any special course of rehabilitation. Typically, you will heal in one to two months and return to normal use of your jaw in speaking, eating and drinking. If you have multiple fractures or a single fracture that causes extensive damage, your doctor and physical therapist will likely devise a rehabilitation plan designed to restore as much normal function as possible after the jawbone heals. The specific exercises used for rehabilitation depend on the severity and location of your fractures, as well as the methods used to treat your injury.
Rehabilitation Factors
If you undergo a surgical jaw repair, you will probably start some form of rehabilitation within the first couple of weeks following your surgery. However, if you undergo a nonsurgical repair, your doctor may advise delaying rehab for one to two months in order to give your injury time to heal. If you have a severe or complex fracture, there's a good chance that you will experience long-term functional problems with your jaw. In these circumstances, your doctor may recommend that you see an occupational therapist who can help you adapt your everyday routine and deal with any ongoing difficulties.
Considerations
Most people who undergo rehabilitation do best when they start their recovery programs soon after their fractured jaws are stable, MD Guidelines notes. In some cases, people recovering from jaw fractures also benefit from participation in a general exercise or conditioning program. During your recovery, your doctor may impose restrictions on your everyday activities, including limited amounts of talking and modifications of your normal work routine. Ask your doctor for more detailed information that fits your current circumstances.
