Facial Palsy
Facial Palsy is a debilitating condition with a wide range of causes. The functional and psychological effects are numerous and vary for each individual patient. I have set up a multidisciplinary Facial Palsy practice in my NHS hospital, University Hospital of North Durham. I also contribute and am a member of the Medical Advisory Board for Facial Palsy UK. This charity has a huge amount of specific information that can help patients and clinicians formulate plans for their ongoing treatment.
Surgical
Various treatments are available for the surgical correction of facial palsy. This ranges from symptomatic treatment of eye closure, much position and nasal valve collapse to symmetrising procedures to restore components of facial asymmetry. You can discuss this with me at the BMI Woodlands Hospital, Spire Washington Hospital, or through my NHS practice at the University Hospital of North Durham.
Non-surgical
Botox treatments for facial palsy are well established. Treatment of unwanted facial spasms or synkinesis is very successfully treated with repeated courses of Botox. It can also be used to rebalance the more active side of the face to improve resting symmetry. An area of increasing benefit is that of dermal fillers in Facial Palsy. Adding volume around the mouth and cheek and decreasing the creases in the nasolabial and perioral region can help to improve overall facial balance.