14 days post op of Facelift and Brow Lift. Why is my outer ear cartilage painful? Could this be perichondritis?

Question

I had face and brow lift 14 weeks ago. Yesterday the cartiledge of my outer right ear started to ache. By the end of the day it was quite painful and I had to resort to pain medication for relief. I don't see swelling or redness. My only post-surgery problem was granulation tissue above the same ear and extendeding about an inch onto my cheek. Treatments with silver-nitrate didn't help and my doctor finally had to clean the wound and suture it up. (four weeks ago).

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

The sensory nerves around the ear Are damaged by definition during a facelift. As sensibility returns patients can experience pain although this is uncommon. Infection of the cartilage is something I've never heard of after facelift.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Generally speaking, it can take 6 to 12 months to completely heal after surgery. Please keep in touch with your surgeon or his/her clinical team to discuss your ongoing concerns.

James Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSC · Answer

Hi there, Its a bit difficult to answer this question as I am unclear excatly where the pain is. Is it the part of your ear RIGHT where the incision is? Its very unlikley to be an infection at this point. A problem like this would appear in the first 7-10 days at the most.A few possibilities include:1) Scar tissue pulling - if you have a bit of extra scar tissue forming it may be tugging on the underlying tissue. Only a thourough exam will answer that so I'd advise you to see your surgeon. Sometimes we need to inject a medication to soften the scar to help with this. 2) "chronic" granulation. You can actually get a chonic, non healing would if it has been stimulated too much with silver nitrate. In some situations, you actually need to re-cut it and re-suture it. 3) Nerves returning. After a facelift, you get nerve re-growth and some times this can cause pins-needles or discomfort. Again, talk to your surgeon. If the pain is not near the incision, the odds are it is not related to the surgery as its been a long time. The key is, talk to your surgeon.

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

Tough to say from the information provide and no photos. Could indeed be issue with cartilage inflammation, could be nerve pain, could be scar pain. Best to see your surgeon for a proper evaluation.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Laura, I would suggest seeing your surgeon for a post operative evaluation and have the area of complaint examined especially since this is the side you had sustained previous problems. Your surgeon will be able to answer your question after an examination. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

14 days post op of Facelift and Brow Lift. Why is my outer ear cartilage painful? Could this be perichondritis?

Answers (5)

Answer: Painful ear

Answer: Painful ear

Answer: Post Facelift and Brow lift concerns

Answer: Post Facelift and Brow lift concerns

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Everything you need to know about Facelift

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14 days post op of Facelift and Brow Lift. Why is my outer ear cartilage painful? Could this be perichondritis?

Answers (5)

Answer: Painful ear

Answer: Painful ear

Answer: Post Facelift and Brow lift concerns

Answer: Post Facelift and Brow lift concerns

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.