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    • Neurotrophic Keratopathy
  • TREATMENTS
    • Temporalis Myoplasty
    • Gracilis Muscle Transplant (Cross Face Nerve Graft)
    • Gracilis Muscle Transplant (Masseter Nerve)
    • Cross Face Nerve Graft
    • Nerve Transfers
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    • Botox® for facial paralysis
    • Eyelid Surgery for Facial Paralysis
    • Facial Reanimation
    • Static Sling
    • Facelift for Facial Paralysis
    • Brow Lift for facial paralysis
    • Selective Neurolysis for Synkinesis
    • Corneal Neurotization
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    • Eyelid Surgery
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    • Symmetry Procedures
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  • Dr. Panossian
  • FACIAL PARALYSIS OVERVIEW
  • ABOUT
  • CONDITIONS
    • Bell’s Palsy
    • Facial Nerve Trauma
    • Tumors
    • Moebius Syndrome
    • Hemifacial Microsomia
    • Stroke
    • Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
    • Synkinesis
    • Neurotrophic Keratopathy
  • TREATMENTS
    • Temporalis Myoplasty
    • Gracilis Muscle Transplant (Cross Face Nerve Graft)
    • Gracilis Muscle Transplant (Masseter Nerve)
    • Cross Face Nerve Graft
    • Nerve Transfers
    • Facial Asymmetry Correction
    • Botox® for facial paralysis
    • Eyelid Surgery for Facial Paralysis
    • Facial Reanimation
    • Static Sling
    • Facelift for Facial Paralysis
    • Brow Lift for facial paralysis
    • Selective Neurolysis for Synkinesis
    • Corneal Neurotization
  • PHOTO GALLERY
    • Smile Reanimation
    • Eyelid Surgery
    • Brow Lift
    • Symmetry Procedures
  • BACK TO MAIN SITE
  • CONTACT US
  • 626-765-6885
  • Dr. Panossian

Synkinesis

Home » Facial Paralysis » Conditions » Synkinesis
Girl demonstrating synkinesis following Bell's palsy.
Girl demonstrating synkinesis
following Bell’s palsy.

Synkinesis in the face is the result of involuntary movements during voluntary contractions. For example, when closing the eye or blinking, the corner of the mouth may twitch. Similarly, smiling may cause blinking. Synkinesis can be quite disconcerting for patients and is a source of social embarrassment for many. The phenomenon occurs usually after a bout of Bell’s palsy or other nerve injury and manifests in the recovery phase.

There are several theories as to why synkinesis occurs. When facial nerve function is altered or destroyed, a regenerative process begins whereby the intact portion of the nerve seeks its target in an effort to re-establish stimulatory pathways. It is during this process that the nerve finds its way to different branches, especially in the central portion of the cheek where it arborizes extensively. Through redundant looped pathways, the branches can intertwine and become miswired. Similarly, target muscle cells may be neurotized unintentionally, contributing further to synkinesis.

Treatment is centered on destruction of these abnormal pathways or by denervation of the unwanted muscles creating the twitch. This can be done with botulinum toxin injections or by selective surgical muscle excision and/or targeted nerve destruction. Again, facial retraining through physical therapy is a key factor in the management of synkinesis.

Diagram of a nerve cell, called a neuron.
Diagram of a nerve cell, called a neuron.


Call the us today for a consultation regarding your facial paralysis or synkinesis.

  • Doctor Panossian did excellent work. Him and his assistant kept in contact and walked me through the whole time even though I was in a different state.

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    • EfromR

Author

This article was written by Dr. Andre Panossian. Last Modified December 11, 2020

Schedule a Consultation

626-765-6885
  • Dr. Panossian
  • FACIAL PARALYSIS OVERVIEW
  • ABOUT
  • CONDITIONS
    • Bell’s Palsy
    • Facial Nerve Trauma
    • Tumors
    • Moebius Syndrome
    • Hemifacial Microsomia
    • Stroke
    • Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
    • Synkinesis
    • Neurotrophic Keratopathy
  • TREATMENTS
    • Temporalis Myoplasty
    • Gracilis Muscle Transplant (Cross Face Nerve Graft)
    • Gracilis Muscle Transplant (Masseter Nerve)
    • Cross Face Nerve Graft
    • Nerve Transfers
    • Facial Asymmetry Correction
    • Botox® for facial paralysis
    • Eyelid Surgery for Facial Paralysis
    • Facial Reanimation
    • Static Sling
    • Facelift for Facial Paralysis
    • Brow Lift for facial paralysis
    • Selective Neurolysis for Synkinesis
    • Corneal Neurotization
  • PHOTO GALLERY
    • Smile Reanimation
    • Eyelid Surgery
    • Brow Lift
    • Symmetry Procedures
  • BACK TO MAIN SITE
  • CONTACT US
  • 626-765-6885

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