Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition involving the face, often described as the most atrocious suffering known to mankind. It typically involves the lower face and jaw, but may also involve the area around the nose and above the eye. Most patients report that their pain begins spontaneously. It is characterized by attacks of intense, sharp, electrical shock like or stabbing pain which may be accompanied by uncontrollable muscular spasms on the affected side of the face. Attacks are reported to be set off by activities such as washing the face, shaving, talking, chewing, brushing of the hair and scalp, or a light breeze on the face.

The attacks generally last from fractions of a second to 2 minutes and are followed by a refractory period during which no pain can be triggered. Between attacks, the patient is in dreaded fear of the next flash of pain. There might be spontaneous remission of pain for weeks, months, or even years. It is said to be caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to the brain. Although trigeminal neuralgia cannot always be cured, there are treatments available to alleviate this debilitating pain. At our clinic we manage this pain with medications, which are usually the first choice for this condition, and whenever required by radiofrequency ablation of the trigeminal nerve.

This is a technique that directs high-frequency heat onto the trigeminal nerve, specifically destroying its ability to transmit pain signals to your brain.