Facial Paralysis - Potential for Recovery? (photo)

There is a good chance function will continue to return to your face even after 18 months.  This can be monitored with various tests.  There may be a role using electrical stimulation of muscles.  If this falls short, there are operations to assist the weak areas of the face.

   At 12 months following an injury of this nature, you shold probably seek out a specialized facial nerve center comfortable with static slings, dynamic slings, nerve grafts including cross facial nerve grafts, and free innervated muscle grafts.  Waiting may be appropriate for a few more months, but you need specialists to guide you for the best recovery possible.  UCLA is a good place to start.

Dear Maya,


Starting with some nerve studies (EMG and ENoG) will give prognostic information (how likely the nerve will recover on its own)

Based on the results of these studies you can see if you would be a candidate for nerve surgery to fix it, or whether you should wait a little longer


Best regards,

Nima Shemirani

Sorry to hear about your problem.  Fist, you should be aware that there are an entirely different group,of nerves that supple sensation from those which provide movement.  So the fact that sensation returned without motor function makes sense and is not an indication that motor function will return.  Re-animation of the paralyzed face is a narrow sub-specialty within plastic surgery.  there are many things that can be done from the simple to the complex.Dryness of the eye can be treated temporarily with eye drops and nighttime ointment.  A simple surgical approach is to use a small gold weight I the eye specifically made for this situation.   Re-animation of the lower face is more complicated sometimes requiring  surgical procedures like nerve grafts or muscle slings, and likely will require multiple procedures.  Since you live in LA,  I would suggest calling the plastic surgery department at UCLA for starters.  Good luck!

The typical recovery happens in the first year, although it is possible for some recovery to occur after that.  It would a good idea for you to see a facial plastic and an oculoplastic surgeon, with facial/eyelid paralysis expertise, for possible dynamic and static surgical options in the meantime, besides keeping your eyes lubricated.  Dr. Azzizadeh and Dr. Nabili are expert facial plastic surgeons with this expertise in Los Angeles, who will work with an oculoplastic surgeon (such as myself) for best facial/eyelid result.