Accidents and Facial Nerve Damage

Facial nerve damage resulting from accidents can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, plays a crucial role in controlling the muscles of the face. When this nerve is damaged due to trauma or injury, it can lead to various complications, including paralysis of the facial muscles.

The multidisciplinary team at New York Facial Paralysis, located inside the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York City, addresses accidents and how they often result in facial nerve damage.

Traumatic Injuries and Facial Nerve Damage

Accidents such as car crashes, falls, sports-related injuries and physical assaults can directly injure the facial nerve, leading to paralysis or weakness of the facial muscles.

• Research reveals that 5-8% of all accidents cause facial nerve damage.
• Facial paralysis occurs in 7-10% of all temporal bone fractures.
• Blunt or penetrating trauma is the second most common cause of facial nerve injury, representing up to 15% of all cases.

Almost one-third of all facial nerve damage trauma results from surgical procedures, particularly those involving the head, neck or facial region like TMJ surgery.

Symptoms of Facial Nerve Damage

The symptoms of facial nerve damage can vary depending on the extent and location of the injury. Common symptoms may include:

• Facial drooping or paralysis
• Difficulty closing the eye on the affected side
• Altered sense of taste
• Excessive tearing or dryness of the eye
• Difficulty in making facial expressions

After traumatic accidents like car wrecks or assaults, the effects of facial nerve damage may only become evident as other injuries are treated.

Treatment and Recovery

The treatment of facial nerve damage depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the injury. In cases of traumatic injuries, immediate medical attention is crucial to assess the extent of the damage. Treatment options may include physical therapy, medications to reduce inflammation or surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerve.

A comprehensive approach is required to achieve facial balance. Depending on the location, severity and timing of the injury, a nerve graft may be utilized to connect to a branch of the unaffected facial nerve or a neighboring nerve to restore electrical input. If there is no viable muscle on the affected side, a muscle transfer from another part of the body, such as the gracilis muscle from the leg, may be performed to restore facial movement.

Recovery from facial nerve damage can be lengthy, and the extent of recovery varies from person to person. Physical therapy, facial exercises and massage techniques can help restore muscle function and promote recovery.

New York Facial Nerve Damage Treatment

Accidents resulting in facial nerve damage can have a profound impact on an individual’s physical and emotional well-being. New York Facial Paralysis has the talented specialists needed to repair facial nerve damage after traumatic injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered an accident or surgery that caused traumatic nerve damage in the face, contact us today to learn how we can help.