What defines the cramping/lockjaw sensation caused by tetanus? i have a jaw and neck ache, but no difficulty opening mouth. last tetanus shot was 2001. did some soil gardening 8 days ago but no cuts.

Not Lockjaw: Yeah, tetanus requires some kind of wound inoculating the skin with bacteria. But you may have a temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome. If this continues, please see a TMJ specialist dentist for some diagnosis and help. James dillard, md.

Not tetanus: Fortunately, whatever you have is not tetanus. Lockjaw is associated with the bacterial condition of tetanus and is highly serious - wa high mortality rate. It is very rare. Most physicians have never seen a case of tetanus. In the absence of a wound and absence of severe symptoms, whatever you have, it is not a concern for tetanus. This could be just associated strain from your gardening activity.