Expert: Alan Kahn - 4/18/2009

Question
Hey, i have been boxing for about three months now and doing MMA for about nine.  When i get hit in the jaw boxing my right side of my jaw will pop out.  This happened the other night real bad where i had to physically pop it back in with my hand because my mouth was about 3/4 open.  This has been going on for about two months i am guessing.  Whenever i open it it pops too or move it from side to side.  Is there anything i can do to make this from stopping?  Or do i have to just live with it?

Thanks!!!

Answer
Hi Austin,

I am Sorry to hear about that. My best advice is to see a Doctor. It sounds like you have some type of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

http://www.medicinenet.com/temporomandibular_joint__disorder/article.htm

and you need more profession advice than I can give.  I would say you have to live with it, but you may really need to live without getting hit in the jaws.  Your jaws have to last you a lifetime, and continually getting it dislocated could cause major problems in later life when you are not competing.

here is a good article also:
http://espn.go.com/trainingroom/s/2000/0105/271531.html

thanks for your question and good luck.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn