If you are feeling muscle twitches, spasm or pain in one side of your face, you may be suffering from hemifacial spasm. The symptoms of a hemifacial spasm can prevent you from concentrating on work or recreational activity and may include:
- Muscle spasms in your cheek or jaw
- Twitches near your eye that may force your eye shut
- Painful spasms along one side of your face and jaw
- Pain and tightness near one ear
If you have any of these symptoms, you may have hemifacial spasm and should visit your doctor right away to get an accurate diagnosis of your condition and to get started on treatment.
Hemifacial spasm is caused by irritation of your 7th cranial nerve, called the facial nerve. This nerve sends messages from your brain to your facial muscles, telling them to move. Most often, hemifacial spasm is caused by the compression of your facial nerve by an artery that resides near it.
One of the most effective treatments for hemifacial spasm is a surgical procedure known as microvascular decompression. If you have facial spasms, you should consult with a neurosurgeon who can assess your need for surgery and can explain to you the overall benefits and costs associated with the procedure.
Hemifacial Spasm Surgery
The definitive treatment for hemifacial spasm is a surgical procedure called microvascular decompression. During this surgery, your doctor will make a small incision behind your ear and remove a tiny portion of your skull. Your facial nerve will be located and a small Teflon pad will be inserted between your nerve and its neighboring artery. This takes pressure off your nerve and relieves your facial symptoms.
After the surgery, you can expect to spend two to three days in the hospital and then slowly get back to your normal active lifestyle. Most patients receive rapid and long lasting relief from microvascular decompression surgery.
When considering surgery, it is important to weigh all factors that go into surgery. How much work will be missed? How will you manage your household in the days following your surgery? How much does hemifacial spasm surgery cost?
Cost of Hemifacial Spasm Surgery in NJ
When considering surgery for facial nerve problems, you need to understand the cost of the surgery. By understanding the overall cost and your personal financial obligations, you can be sure to plan properly for the surgery.
New Jersey residents with comprehensive health insurance plans most likely have a plan that covers much of the procedure. There will be a surgeon’s fee and a hospital fee. Your insurance plan may have you pay a deductible or a co-payment for surgery and for your hospital stay.
Sometimes, specialists will need to be involved in your care, either during surgery or after the procedure while you are recovering. These specialists may show up as a separate charge to your insurance company, and you may be required to pay a separate copay for these specialists.
Dealing with insurance companies can be a tricky thing to do. Some doctors have an insurance specialist on staff who can work with your insurance company and you to ensure you have a complete understanding of the cost of your surgery and your personal financial obligations.
When considering microvascular decompression for facial spasms, you need to also weigh in some hidden costs. These may include:
- Missed time at work
- The cost of medication that may be necessary during your recovery
- Parking fees for your family and friends at the hospital
All of these items may seem small, but when added together in aggregate, they may create a scenario where meeting your financial obligations can be difficult.
Benefits of Surgery for Hemifacial Spasm
If your doctor recommends microvascular decompression for your hemifacial spasm, he or she should explain to you the expected risks and benefits associated with the procedure. Benefits of microvascular decompression for facial nerve disorders include:
- Rapid relief of facial spasm
- Minimal scarring (your incision will be hidden behind your ear)
- Minimal risk of infection
- Rapid recovery and return to normal activity
Many people see the cost associated with the surgery and feel that it is too expensive a proposition to undergo. When weighing the benefits against the cost, most patients realize that they simply cannot afford to not have the surgery, as they can experience rapid and lasting relief of facial spasm and pain. This alone can mean a quick return to normal work and recreational activities.
Dealing with facial pain and twitches can make life miserable, and managing your symptoms can cause you to lose valuable time with family members and friends. Your hemifacial spasm can cause missed time at work as well. To definitively treat your spasms, you may need to consider a surgical procedure. Your neurosurgeon can give you options about which surgery is best for you.
By learning about your surgery, the recovery process and the overall cost associated with your surgery, you can be sure to make an informed decision about your surgery for hemifacial spasm.
