Migraine Headache Surgery
Migraines and severe pain in the head and neck can be extremely debilitating and make it nearly impossible to complete even the most routine daily tasks. If you’re dealing with unexpected, severe bouts of pain and discomfort in the upper neck, back of the head, or behind the ears, migraine surgery may be able to help. Our extensively trained plastic surgeons understand that throbbing, shooting, and shock-like pain in the back of the head can bring your entire life to a standstill. Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz and Dr. John Luck can work with you to determine effective solutions to reduce, or even eliminate, your migraine pain and help you enjoy a more comfortable quality of life.
What Causes Pain in the Back of the Head and Neck?
While headaches and/or the feeling of a stiff neck do not necessarily warrant medical attention alone, migraine pain that occurs consistently may be caused by irritated, compressed, or damaged nerves. This pain can manifest in the following conditions:
Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia refers to damage, inflammation, or compression of the occipital nerves, which run the length of the scalp. Whether this nerve damage is caused by trauma, overactive neck muscles, or an underlying condition—such as diabetes or osteoarthritis—occipital neuralgia can cause migraine pain that starts at the base of the head and spreads to the scalp as well as behind the eyes. Symptoms are typically described as shooting or sharp pain, although occipital neuralgia can also cause feelings of tingling or numbness.
Migraines
Migraines are very common and affect millions of individuals yearly. While migraines can be triggered by lifestyle (stress, diet, etc.) or other environmental (bright lights) factors, frequent migraines may be caused by nerve-related issues that result in aching or throbbing pain. Leaders in the field of peripheral nerve surgery have demonstrated that certain types of migraines are caused by compression and/or irritation of nerves in the neck and head. Surgical release of these nerves can be an effective treatment option to manage these types of migraines.
What are Common Symptoms of Migraine Pain?
Migraine pain is typically characterized by patients as:
- Aching, burning, or throbbing
- Shocking or shooting pain
- Sensitivity to light, smells, or sounds
- Intermittent or continuous pain
- Neck stiffness, tingling, or numbness
- Fatigue, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating
- Bouts of pain triggered by normal stimulation, such as brushing your hair, turning the neck, or laying your head down
While we may not be able to address all cases of head and neck pain with migraine surgery, the procedure may be recommended for patients who have experienced unsuccessful results from less invasive techniques, or who have already seen a specialist and ruled out other potential causes.
How is Migraine Surgery Performed?
Our plastic surgeons will conduct a full evaluation of your physical health and medical history to help determine whether your migraines may indeed be nerve-related. Common non-surgical techniques to treat migraine pain include medications, electrical stimulation, and injections of medical BOTOX®—a muscle-relaxing agent that is FDA-approved to treat chronic migraines. In cases where no improvement is seen with minimally invasive treatments, Dr. Gryskiewicz or Dr. Luck may suggest surgical management.
Migraine surgery is generally performed to release pressure on compressed nerves. This can decrease the intensity, frequency, and duration of migraines. The surgery targets specific “trigger sites” in the head and neck — areas where compressed nerves are believed to cause migraine pain. During the procedure, our plastic surgeons release or decompress these nerves by removing small amounts of surrounding muscle, tissue, or blood vessels that may be irritating them. Studies have shown that many patients experience a significant reduction in the frequency, duration, and severity of their migraines after surgery, with some even achieving complete relief. While migraine surgery is not a first-line treatment, it can be life-changing for carefully selected patients who have exhausted other options and are seeking long-term relief from migraine pain.
At Gryskiewicz Twin Cities Cosmetic Surgery®, our plastic surgeons can assess the cause of your head and neck pain and develop an appropriate treatment plan to reduce your symptoms. Please contact our Minneapolis-area practice today to schedule a personal consultation.