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Medical science recognises trigeminal neuralgia (TN) as one of the most intense facial pain conditions. This chronic pain disorder affects the trigeminal nerve that starts near the top of the ear and splits into three branches to serve the eye, cheek, and jaw areas. Medications are the first-line treatment modality for trigeminal neuralgia treatment. Doctors generally recommend trigeminal neuralgia surgery when medications fail to control severe, recurrent facial pain.
Medical experts group trigeminal neuralgia (TN) into three main categories based on their mechanisms and characteristics:
Doctors also recognise two distinct forms based on pain patterns:
Best Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery Doctors in India
The main symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is a sharp pain that feels like an electric shock. This facial pain hits suddenly and intensely on one side of the face.
The pain shows up in several ways:
These painful episodes can start from everyday activities. Something as simple as washing your face, putting on makeup, brushing your teeth, eating, drinking, or a gentle breeze can set off an attack.
Each pain episode typically lasts between a few seconds to two minutes. This condition has a cycle-like pattern. Periods of frequent attacks are followed by weeks or months with minimal pain.
These pain attacks often come with facial twitching, which is why it's also called 'tic douloureux'. The pain might stay in one spot or spread across the face. It can affect the cheeks, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, eyes, and forehead.
Doctors use multiple approaches to manage trigeminal neuralgia pain.
Patients with trigeminal neuralgia can find lasting relief through surgical procedures. These include:
X-rays help guide needle placement during percutaneous procedures while patients remain heavily sedated. Doctors position patients on their backs with heads inside the C-arm to get precise imaging during radiofrequency treatments.
Microvascular decompression needs careful brain stem monitoring. Specialists now use brainstem auditory evoked responses to check nerve function. The surgical team communicates constantly and adjusts their techniques based on immediate feedback.
Patients who undergo microvascular decompression need one day in intensive care room before moving to a regular hospital room. They start moving from bed to chair on their own within 24 hours.
Pain Management and Original Recovery: Patients need medication for 2-4 weeks after microvascular decompression. This helps manage discomfort and swelling and prevents infection. Doctors remove stitches after 10 days. People can return to work after three weeks if their job involves light activities.
Key recovery milestones include:
The hospital's treatment approach for trigeminal neuralgia includes:
Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery Hospitals in India
CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
CARE Hospitals Outpatient Centre, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
CARE Hospitals, HITEC City, Hyderabad
CARE Hospitals Outpatient Centre, HITEC City, Hyderabad
Gurunanak CARE Hospitals, Musheerabad, Hyderabad
CARE Hospitals, Nampally, Hyderabad
CARE Hospitals, Malakpet, Hyderabad
CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar
Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals, Raipur
CARE Hospitals, Ramnagar, Visakhapatnam
CARE Hospitals, Health City, Arilova
Related Surgeries
CARE Hospitals leads the way in trigeminal neuralgia treatment in Bhubaneswar with advanced diagnostic facilities and experienced neurosurgeons.
Carbamazepine remains the best medication choice and helps 80-90% of patients. Microvascular decompression surgery gives the longest-lasting results, with success rates reaching 90%.
Most patients get relief from pain with proper treatment. Microvascular decompression controls pain in 80% of cases. Many patients stay pain-free for years after surgery.
Aftercare needs regular medication management and follow-up visits. Patients must:
Recovery depends on the procedure. Patients who get microvascular decompression usually return to work within three weeks. Gamma Knife patients need 3-8 months for complete response.
Main complications include facial numbness, hearing loss, and rarely, stroke. Pain comes back in about 30% of cases within 10-20 years.
Patients should watch for fever, stiff neck, or vision changes after discharge. Regular check-ups happen throughout the first 3-6 months.
Never stop medications without asking your doctor. Patients should avoid heavy lifting and intense activities for several weeks after surgery.
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