Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes A Shooting Pain In The Side Of Scalp?
Question: I have a shooting pain in the left side of my scalp region increases with movemet of bending over tender to touch in the region and canbe very painful when it it hits .it has been fairly frequent today. I am 66 years old with no trauma.
Brief Answer:
Temporomandibular disorders (TMJ)
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
You have been experiencing sharp pain on the left side of your scalp and temporal area. These episodes seem to be become more frequent and more intense. In a 66 year old male there can be several causes the most common would be TMJ disorder. This is the joint of the jaw on the right or left that starts to get arthritis in the jaw and then pain with spasms of the temporal muscles. Eating foods that are hard or require marked chewing seems to aggravate the pain. People who also grind their teeth at night or people talk a lot can have problems with their TMJs. Treatment would be focused on reducing the arthritis in the joint like using ibuprofen and reducing the pressure on the joint with softer foods and less talking.
Another option is temporal arteritis or inflammation of the temporal artery. This artery is just in front of the ear and goes up the temporal area to the scalp. It can be very tender to touch and also feel like a thick cord or rope along the artery. Temporal arteritis does require more aggressive treatment with steroids.
I recommend that you seek medical attention so your doctor can do a proper examination and get proper lab testing done.
In summary
1. temporal pain possible TMJ
2. Possible Temporal arteritis
3. Seek medical attention
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your medical questions and concerns
Temporomandibular disorders (TMJ)
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
You have been experiencing sharp pain on the left side of your scalp and temporal area. These episodes seem to be become more frequent and more intense. In a 66 year old male there can be several causes the most common would be TMJ disorder. This is the joint of the jaw on the right or left that starts to get arthritis in the jaw and then pain with spasms of the temporal muscles. Eating foods that are hard or require marked chewing seems to aggravate the pain. People who also grind their teeth at night or people talk a lot can have problems with their TMJs. Treatment would be focused on reducing the arthritis in the joint like using ibuprofen and reducing the pressure on the joint with softer foods and less talking.
Another option is temporal arteritis or inflammation of the temporal artery. This artery is just in front of the ear and goes up the temporal area to the scalp. It can be very tender to touch and also feel like a thick cord or rope along the artery. Temporal arteritis does require more aggressive treatment with steroids.
I recommend that you seek medical attention so your doctor can do a proper examination and get proper lab testing done.
In summary
1. temporal pain possible TMJ
2. Possible Temporal arteritis
3. Seek medical attention
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your medical questions and concerns
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
