If you have trigeminal neuralgia and have tried conservative treatments with a facial pain specialist, but continue to have symptoms, then you may benefit from a consultation with an NJ neurosurgeon who treats facial pain with medication or surgery.
Your surgeon can explain different surgical approaches and can offer you definitive relief from your symptoms. Surgery for trigeminal neuralgia can offer you rapid and lasting relief from your pain.
There are different types of surgery for trigeminal neuralgia, including:
- Microvascular decompression surgery
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (a.k.a. Stereotactic Radiosurgery)
- Percutaneous rhizotomy
- Pain stimulator placement
Your doctor should explain to you the risks and benefits associated with each surgical approach, and he should offer you alternatives to surgery.
When planning to have surgery, you should take the time to understand the trigeminal neuralgia surgery recovery process. Surgery is invasive, so having an understanding of the recovery can make the entire process easier for you to navigate.
Before having trigeminal neuralgia surgery, talk with your doctor about what to expect with the procedure. Remember that every patient is different, and your trigeminal neuralgia surgery recovery may not follow along exactly as outlined by some postoperative protocols. Work with your doctor to make sure you understand your specific situation.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery Preparation
Taking time to prepare for trigeminal neuralgia surgery can make the post-operative course an easier one. A few NJ neurosurgeons offer a pre-operative class to take when considering trigeminal neuralgia surgery. Topics of these classes may include:
- The hospital staff
- The equipment that will be used during surgery
- The overall procedure
- Resources available to you
- A virtual tour of the hospital where your surgery will be
When you know exactly what to expect prior to your surgery, you can feel comfortable about the procedure and your course of recovery.
Your surgeon should instruct you on what to do just prior to your surgery. Many doctors will have you avoid eating the evening before your surgery, and some will ask that you not eat breakfast on the morning of your trigeminal neuralgia surgical procedure. Be sure to closely follow your doctor’s instructions when preparing for surgery
You doctor’s office should also work with you to make sure you understand your financial obligations prior to having surgery. Many offices have an insurance specialist on hand who can work with you to navigate the maze that comes with insurance coverage for surgery.
Surgery Day: The Start of Your Recovery
Your recovery from the shooting pain that comes with trigeminal neuralgia starts on the day of your procedure.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery requires the use of a special head frame designed to keep your head still during the procedure. The frame will be carefully fitted prior to your treatment, and will be removed after the one and only treatment dose has been administered. This procedure does not require general anesthesia or an overnight hospital stay.
Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery requires that your doctor make a small incision behind your ear. Specialized surgical tools will be used to place a Teflon pad between your trigeminal nerve the neighboring blood vessel.
You will be asleep under anesthesia during the procedure and will not feel anything. After your surgery, you will be brought to the recovery area where the nursing staff will monitor your vital signs. Your doctor will visit you in the recovery area to check on your condition. Some slight postoperative pain is expected.
Because of this, medication will be administered to control your pain. You can expect to spend the first day after surgery resting, but don’t be surprised if your doctor and nursing staff try to have you get up and walk. Most patients become quite mobile after surgery and are expected to be able to walk short distances within a day or two.
In the Hospital After Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery
Microvascular decompression surgery is brain surgery, and you will be expected to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days to ensure that you are recovering well. During your hospital stay, your vital signs will be monitored, and you will gradually increase your activity level.
Your doctor will check your facial symptoms in the hospital after your surgery. Many people experience rapid relief of pain, and some feel a slight ache after surgery. Your doctor will explain how your surgery went and will make sure your incisions are healing well.
After a couple of days in the hospital, your doctor will discharge you home to continue your recovery. Specific instructions will be given to you when you leave the hospital. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders closely.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery Recovery: Week One
Once you return home to begin your trigeminal neuralgia surgery recovery, you can gradually start increasing your activity level. Walking about your home is a good start, and brief short walks outside can be done within a few days of leaving the hospital.
Be sure to slowly increase your activity level. Doing too much too soon can leave you feeling exhausted. Overly vigorous activity may also irritate your surgical site. Within the first week of surgery, you may be required to follow up with your doctor to check your progress and ensure that your surgical incisions are healing properly.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery Recovery: Week Two
The second week after trigeminal neuralgia surgery is one where you can start to get back to normal activities. Walking and doing light housework should be done, and you should continue to avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous activity.
If you have had microvascular decompression, you should notice that your trigeminal neuralgia symptoms have decreased significantly at this point. Many patients report complete resolution of symptoms within the first few weeks after surgery.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery focuses a single dose of radiation to the area around your trigeminal nerve, so symptomatic improvement may be a slow process. Monitor your facial pain and symptoms, and check in with your doctor if your experience any unexpected symptoms or problems.
Return to Normal Activity after Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery
After MVD surgery, most patients return to normal daily activities within two or three weeks after surgery. You may consider returning to work at this time, and you should be comfortable performing most light activity around your home. Patients treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery often return to work within three to five days of treatment.
If you engage in high-intensity athletics, you may need to curtail these activities for a few more weeks. Be sure to check in with your doctor before returning to any vigorous activity after trigeminal neuralgia surgery to ensure that it is safe.
Within a few weeks of your surgery, you can expect to feel significant relief of your facial pain and symptoms. Most patients who undergo microvascular decompression surgery for trigeminal neuralgia enjoy rapid relief of pain with very little chance of recurrence.
Be sure to speak with you doctor about your specific condition and what to expect after surgery. Surgery for trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain can be an anxiety-producing experience. Not knowing what to expect can make preparing for your trigeminal neuralgia surgery recovery difficult.
By taking the time to find the best NJ neurosurgeon who can guide you through your recovery, you can be sure to have a positive outcome from trigeminal neuralgia surgery.
