neck muscle issue with jaws?

[suetemi]

Hey all,
Before my surgery I always used to use the right side of my mouth to chew food pretty much exclusively. Now after surgery, when my surgeon banded me, the left side of my face starting from my temple and going down to my chin spasmed and hurt a lot. I noticed that there was an inclination to tilt my head to the left a little. I figured it was just that left side jaw muscle getting used to a proper position, but then after my surgeon removed the bands and the left side of my bite is loose and free of spasms, I still feel this tendency to lean my head to the left as if the left side of my neck muscle is pulling stronger than the right one.


Has anyone experienced any changes to muscles in the neck after a jaw op? Are the jaw muscles somehow connected to the ones in the jaw? This is sooo weird. When I was talking with my mom to get dinner today, she kept laughing at how my head kept leaning to the left a bit and I'd have to use all my effort to consciously bring it back up straight.

[megs29]

Honestly, I had something similar..since my BSSO/Genio, I find myself leaning my head forward more than usual. Especially right after surgery. I would assume with the new position of the jaws, some soft tissue changes happen, and might be pulling on muscles connected in your neck.

You could ask your OS about it, and maybe see if massage therapy could help loosen things up?

[zoeandnimo]

I am having neck issues as well. My neck has been hurting badly over the past few months and I never even thought that it might have something to do with the jaw surgery. Now I'm also having weird numb patches again on my jaw - could this all be related?? Have you had any success in fixing this?

[mp921]

I'm only 12 days post BSSO but I feel like all of the muscles in my neck/head are involved!

[PJ]

I've also had a left leaning head for sometime--well before surgery. It still leans left, but I am going to start chiropractic sessions and massage soon, and hopefully that will help. I did chiro for several months about 2 years ago and it really helped with my posture and the leaning left thing. I think a massage should help the muscles adjust to the new bite, and physical therapy might also be also be useful. Good luck with yours.

[danyahc]

I'm nearly 6 weeks post op. My neck is still a bit stiff and at times if I tilt my head back quickly I get strong pain down one side in particular.

My surgeon assures me that it's completely normal.

During surgery the jaws are opened for a prolonged and unnatural length of time (3.5hrs for my surgery) and as a result the facial and neck muscles are traumatised.

I think over time it will settle down ... just how long will depend on the individual.

Hope this helps!