If you have facial pain or hemifacial spasm, you may be suffering from trigeminal neuralgia or facial nerve irritation. This may cause various symptoms, including:
- Pain on one side of the face and jaw
- Muscle twitching near the eye
- Ear pain
- Jaw pain
- Sharp, electric-like pains in your face
- Burning pain in your face
If you have any of these symptoms, a visit to your doctor is in order to get the right diagnosis and to start on the best treatment for you. Facial pain is most likely caused by irritation of your trigeminal nerve, but it could be caused by a serious condition like multiple sclerosis or a benign tumor, so getting an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your pain is essential.
Facial Pain Treatments
If you are suffering from facial pain, there are various treatments available to you. Working closely with your doctor can ensure you find the best treatment for your symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is one type of treatment offered by some neurosurgeons in NJ. It is considered a type of brain surgery, so many times your doctor will attempt more conservative treatments before considering Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.
Medication should be your first line of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Typically anticonvulsant or antispasmodic medication is used to control the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. Injections can also be considered to treat your facial pain.
Unfortunately, the positive effect of using medication for trigeminal neuralgia often decreases over time. Your doctor may increase your medication dosage to help keep your symptoms under control, but often a more definitive treatment is necessary. When this occurs, your doctor should refer you to a facial pain neurosurgeon to consider surgery.
Surgical procedures for trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain may include:
- Microvascular decompression
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
- Percutaneous Rhizotomy
- Stimulator placement
Many patients with trigeminal neuralgia choose to have Gamma Knife Radiosurgery since it is a relatively painless procedure that can offer you significant relief of your symptoms. Learning all you can about Gamma Knife Radiosurgery and other surgical options for trigeminal neuralgia can ensure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about having surgery for your symptoms.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a procedure used to help decrease or abolish the pain from trigeminal neuralgia. The procedure is performed by an NJ neurosurgeon who has training in radiosurgery and treats facial conditions.
The procedure is done at an NJ hospital. During Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, small areas of your skull will be anesthetized, and a device called a head frame will be placed on your head. This device is used to keep your head absolutely still during the procedure.
Once the head frame is applied, your doctor will review an MRI of your brain to locate your trigeminal nerve, and then a measured dose of radiation will be focused on a specific area of your nerve. This radiation will be controlled by your neurosurgeon and a team of radiation specialists. After the appropriate treatment has been delivered, the frame will be removed and your doctor will meet with you to discuss your recovery.
The goal of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is to slightly damage your trigeminal nerve. This damage helps to decrease or eliminate your facial pain. Most patients experience a gradual decrease in their facial pain and require no other treatment for their condition. A small group of patients do experience continued trigeminal neuralgia, and a second Gamma Knife Radiosurgery session may be necessary to fully treat this.
Due to the nature of radiation, one to three percent of patients treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia can experience some level of facial numbness at a delayed time point after the procedure. Otherwise, patients experience very few side effects.
Qualities of a Top-Rated Gamma Knife Neurosurgeon
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery requires specialized training by a qualified New Jersey neurosurgeon to effectively treat your facial pain. When considering surgery for your facial pain, you should make sure you find the best neurosurgeon for you. So what are the qualities of a top-rated neurosurgeon?
The best surgeon to perform your surgery is one that you trust. Your surgeon should meet with you and discuss the surgery with you. He or she should explain the risks and expected benefits of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery and should offer you alternatives to surgery. Your neurosurgeon should also take the time to answer any questions you have and should help relieve any concerns about having surgery.
Your New Jersey gamma knife neurosurgeon should also be an expert in their field and should be a specialist in facial pain. Finding a trusted, top-rated neurosurgeon who performs gamma knife surgery for trigeminal neuralgia may take a little legwork, but your extra effort will be worth it. Most importantly, the NJ neurosurgeon you choose should feel like a trusted ally in your care. He or she should work with you to help you understand all aspects of your care and how Gamma Knife Radiosurgery can treat your facial pain symptoms.
Finding the Best Doctor for You
Taking time to find the best Gamma Knife neurosurgeon in NJ for your facial pain may be tough to do. Where do you start your search, and how do you find the best neurosurgeon for you?
There are many different ways to find a top-rated neurosurgeon in New Jersey who is a gamma knife specialist, including:
- Searching the internet for top-rated Gamma Knife Radiosurgery neurosurgeons
- Asking your family physician for a referral to a trusted specialist
- Speaking with family members or friends who may have experience with neurosurgeons
The best way to find the right doctor to treat your trigeminal neuralgia with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is to meet with several specialists and find the professional who treats you with respect and courtesy.
Dealing with facial pain or spasm can be a difficult thing to do, and your symptoms may cause you to miss work or recreational activities. When treating your trigeminal neuralgia, you need to find a trusted, top-rated neurosurgeon who can help you manage your symptoms. Finding an NJ neurosurgeon who treats facial pain and performs Gamma Knife Radiosurgery may be your best option to eliminating your facial pain and returning to your normal activity quickly and safely.
