Treatment for Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis does not always require treatment. Sometimes, doctors will recommend continuous monitoring of the condition. For example, facial paralysis caused by Bell’s Palsy will usually go away in six months. The treatments designed to treat this condition depend on the patient’s age, the cause of the paralysis, the severity of the paralysis, and the duration of the symptoms. Treatments can also vary between invasive surgeries and non-invasive therapies.

Treating facial paralysis

There are many ways to treat facial paralysis, but it depends on the severity of the symptoms and the cause. Paralysis of the facial muscles may either be temporary or permanent. Usually, surgeons determine the treatment to reverse the effects of the paralysis. The aim is to return its functions to normal. The doctors have to consider how long the paralysis has been present. They also need to know if it is complete or incomplete paralysis.

Facial paralysis surgery

Most people think that surgery is the only way to get the facial muscles to move again. This type of medical procedure is when a plastic surgeon uses all or parts of the muscles, nerves, or both from the other body parts to restore the motion on the lower half of the face. The procedure is also called facial reanimation surgery. Usually, a team of facial plastic surgeons does the operation.

Nerve transfers

It is possible to transfer another nerve to the area of the face that lost nerve function. However, this can only be done immediately after the injury happens. When timed right, the procedure is usually successful. The transfer of a nerve from other parts of the body will reinnervate the face muscles.

Oral steroids and therapy

Certain causes of facial paralysis will not need surgery. People who suffer from Bell’s Palsy may only need six months to fully recover. In those six months, the patients can get their facial muscles moving again. However, doctors will recommend for the patients to take oral steroids and other antiviral medications to boost the chances of complete recovery. Doctors may also suggest therapy to strengthen the muscles and prevent further damage.

Powering the gracilis muscle

The facial muscles are responsible for the movements on your face. However, they are also most affected by injuries on the facial nerves. Doctors suggest muscle transfer procedures, such as the gracilis transfer, to address this problem. That will require two separate surgeries. The first is the movement of a nerve to a facial area, and the second is the transplantation of the gracilis muscle itself.

Listen to doctors

First and foremost, listen to doctors. No one else knows what to do but medical practitioners. They are trained to diagnose and design a treatment plan for people with facial paralysis. While most cases can go away on their own, some scenarios would require surgical procedures, rehab therapy, and long-term care. Always seek the opinions of doctors when faced with a medical problem.

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