I had a lower facelift and neck lift with lipo five months ago and my plastic surgeon says she can not explain the extreme tightness in my sternocleidomastoid muscle. She has tried steroids and botox and I am massaging it with little relief. I am terrified I will be stuck with this for life. Has any Dr. heard of this or do know what may be causing this?
December 28, 2015
Answer: Management of sternocleidomastoid muscle after facelift? = physical therapy #fb #facelift #SCM #tightness #drmesa Tightness of the neck muscles like the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) could happen after certain physical activities,positioning during sleeping or even including face and neck surgery (e.g. neck lift and or facelift). In most of the cases the tightness go away with time and overt the counter pain killers. In cases where the tightness doesn't go away, patients may consider seeking evaluation by a physical therapist to determine potential cause and potential treatment. If the cause of the tightness is associated with previous surgery, management by the physical therapist should be approved by the primary surgeon
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
December 28, 2015
Answer: Management of sternocleidomastoid muscle after facelift? = physical therapy #fb #facelift #SCM #tightness #drmesa Tightness of the neck muscles like the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) could happen after certain physical activities,positioning during sleeping or even including face and neck surgery (e.g. neck lift and or facelift). In most of the cases the tightness go away with time and overt the counter pain killers. In cases where the tightness doesn't go away, patients may consider seeking evaluation by a physical therapist to determine potential cause and potential treatment. If the cause of the tightness is associated with previous surgery, management by the physical therapist should be approved by the primary surgeon
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
December 28, 2015
Answer: Tightness in the neck post Face and neck lift Hello, This is a difficult question to answer. Why it has been determined that the sternocleidomastoid muscle is tight? Do you have a restriction of motion on one side? Or do you only have a tight feeling in your neck on or around the SCM and your neck movement is normal? Is it on one side or both sides? Without additional information such as the exact technique used including type of sutures and location of buried sutures as well as a first-person physical examination, I cannot answer your question with certainty. I do believe however that the tightness will resolve one way or another. If time, steroids, botox and massage do not resolve the issue, and you are in significant discomfort and anxious over this sensation, then exploring the region through a revision of the procedure would be warranted. Possibly there is a suture entraping the muscle or scar tissue that can be released. Revision surgery is an option although there are no guarantees that it will resolve the tight sensation in your neck. If all else fails however, unfortunately a exploration of the area through revision surgery is a reasonable option. A second opinion or even a third opinion by another surgeon is reasonable as well.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
December 28, 2015
Answer: Tightness in the neck post Face and neck lift Hello, This is a difficult question to answer. Why it has been determined that the sternocleidomastoid muscle is tight? Do you have a restriction of motion on one side? Or do you only have a tight feeling in your neck on or around the SCM and your neck movement is normal? Is it on one side or both sides? Without additional information such as the exact technique used including type of sutures and location of buried sutures as well as a first-person physical examination, I cannot answer your question with certainty. I do believe however that the tightness will resolve one way or another. If time, steroids, botox and massage do not resolve the issue, and you are in significant discomfort and anxious over this sensation, then exploring the region through a revision of the procedure would be warranted. Possibly there is a suture entraping the muscle or scar tissue that can be released. Revision surgery is an option although there are no guarantees that it will resolve the tight sensation in your neck. If all else fails however, unfortunately a exploration of the area through revision surgery is a reasonable option. A second opinion or even a third opinion by another surgeon is reasonable as well.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful