Is there any interaction between having Eagles and it affecting the hyoid bone? I feel like mine is either super tight on my neck and choking me or feels like there is swelling under my chin.
It also feels like at times my neck wants to go one way and my trachea wants to go the other. I’ve had some people tell me my tongue tie (before my Eagles diagnosis) might be responsible. While others have said my tongue tie isn’t sever enough to cause that many issues.
Hi LittleBird. The hyoid bone has been discussed in quite a few posts, just use the search function. I can speak on tongue tie experience though. The only professional you should ask about that is a Myofunctional Therapist. They will determine how your tongue is functioning and develop a treatment plan. It is a very underdiagnosed issue in Adults, there is a FB group for it. Therapy is essential if you ever plan on getting it released. At 33 I found out I was tied, I was about to do Invisalign for what I thought was TMJ, but a kind internet stranger said check for tie. A quick google search seemed to indicated grade 2/3, two drs confirmed, and I started therapy. 6 months of therapy before release and 6 months after. It was a really good choice and made some positive differences. Symptoms still persisted though, again, assumed TMJ, got imaging to examine jaw joints. Looked healthy but DDS pointed out styloids. Did physical therapy and nightguard, symptoms persisted. So, sought out treatment for ES; just had my first surgery on 11/11, feeling quite well and looking forward to the other side.
Thank you for sharing and for the pointers. Still new to this site!
That’s really reassuring to hear! My TMJ issues came out of nowhere and a TMJ joint surgeon through Shands let me know it was mostly muscular; the joint itself is fine.
My area doesn’t have any myofunctional therapists so I’ll have to travel for one. I wonder if it’s better to do the ES surgery first or the tongue tie?
Thats good the jaw joints are healthy, consider a physical therapist, dry needling will be the main treatment. Myo can be done virtually, mine was in person; it is a new and niche area, my city of like 400k has like 3, maybe 4. Tough to say which to do first. I think the treatment plan and timeframe will make a difference. The Myo might just be 6 weeks, release, and 6 more weeks, treatment plans vary patient to patient based on need. The ES timeframe took me appx 3 months from initial research to first surgery, I was quite aggressive and efficient, and I’m planning on 6 weeks or more recovery. As you will discover the ES surgery has its risks and sort of expected recovery issues, often nerve issues. Most testimonials say it resolves in weeks to months on its own, but rarely, some treatment is needed. So, I’d say get a Myo consult and plan, but also get a plan with an ES surgeon, then you can make a fully informed plan.
@LittleBird - As @Andy89316 mentioned, there have been a number of discussions about the hyoid & Hyoid Bone Syndrome (HBS) which has some symptoms very similar to ES but also has unique characteristics, too. @a_catindiguise recently had surgery for HBS done by Dr. Dewan in Louisiana close to the same time @F-t had hers in Australia. Below is a link a post a_catindisguise made about her symptoms.
Additionally, the hyoid bone can become “tethered” by calcified stylohyoid ligaments. Normally the hyoid moves freely w/ talking, singing, coughing, sneezing, burping, etc., but when the ligaments from the styloids which attach at the hyoid bone calcify, the hyoid can no longer move as it needs to which can be very uncomfortable. That may be what you’re feeling. Your diagnostic CT for ES should show your hyoid bone as well as your styloids. You can convert it to 3D images using either radiantviewer.com (for PC) or Bee Dicom Viewer App (for Mac) which will make your images easier for you to see so you get a better understanding of what’s going on in your neck. If you do convert them to 3D & want to post a few images here, we can tell you what we see.