Numbness, no feeling in shoulder & partial neck 1 year after neck dissection for lipoma. Is there a chance feeling will return?

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your experience — what you’re describing is actually something that can happen after a neck dissection, especially when a lipoma of that size is removed. During surgery in that region, there are many delicate sensory and motor nerves that can be stretched, bruised, or even cut as the surgeon works around the area. This can lead to persistent numbness, tingling, or weakness in nearby regions such as the shoulder, neck, upper back, and chest.

After a year, some degree of nerve recovery is still possible, but the likelihood depends on the extent of nerve involvement. Nerve healing is a very slow process — in some people, it continues gradually for up to two years or more. If the nerves were only stretched or compressed, improvement can still occur over time; however, if they were completely severed, full sensation or strength may not return.

It’s also not unusual for patients to experience shoulder weakness if the spinal accessory nerve, which helps control certain shoulder muscles, was affected during the surgery. Physical therapy focused on strengthening and mobility can sometimes help improve function, even if sensation doesn’t completely recover.

I know this can be frustrating, especially after such a significant procedure, but your experience is not uncommon. It might be helpful to have a follow-up evaluation with your surgeon or a neurologist who can assess nerve function and determine whether additional rehabilitation or therapies could support your recovery.