KYcabledog

You mention surgery. At the hospital where they did my neck dissection they scared the heck out of me by making me sign papers listing all these potential complications

[quote]Weakness of the trapezius muscle is expected after radical neck dissection when the spinal accessory nerve is transected but can also occur even when the nerve is preserved. When the nerve is preserved, recovery is expected within a few months of surgery. Whether this nerve is preserved or sacrificed at surgery, post-operative physical therapy can prevent long-term neck and shoulder discomfort.

A small branch of the facial nerve is encountered just below the jaw line at the top of the neck. This is mobilized and preserved when performing a neck dissection. Occasionally a temporary weakness of the lower lip results from this mobilization. Full recovery can be expected.

Numbness of the neck skin is expected after neck dissection and improves over a 6-12 month period after surgery. This occurs because the nerves that provide sensation to the neck skin are transected and need to re-establish connections to the skin. In some cases, the regenerating nerves become trapped in scar tissue and can form a small nodule that is sensitive to the touch. This is a late complication of neck dissection occurring several months to a year after surgery.
As a result, it is common following radical neck dissection for people to have stooped shoulders, limited ability to lift one or both arms, and limited head and neck rotation and flexion due to the removal of nerves and muscles. [/quote]
My surgeon was adamant that I needed to start Physical Therapy after my modified neck dissection even though she was very careful to work around my sternocleidomastoid muscle (often damaged in neck dissections)
A good physical therapist made all the difference in my recovery. God bless them all
Charm