An Area Expert is changing the lives of patients with Facial Nerve Paralysis and the education of the physicians who treat them.
Imagine waking up one day and losing the ability to greet a loved one with a smile, to close your eyes against the glare of the sun, or to struggle to keep food in your mouth at breakfast. Unfortunately, this is a reality for thousands of people who suffer from Facial Nerve Paralysis. Although the exact cause of this condition can vary, the resulting negative impact on a patient’s well-being is universally devastating. One area expert is using his skills as both a surgeon and an educator to tackle this condition head on and make a colossal impact on the lives of the patients he treats.
Dr. Garrett Griffin, a board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery in Woodbury and Eagan, Minnesota, was recently published in a new medical textbook, Diseases and Disorders of the Orbit and Ocular Adnexa. Released last month, he is the principal author of the chapter on The Facial Nerve. This textbook is targeted towards educating ophthalmologists and primary care physicians who often encounter patients affected by Facial Nerve Paralysis.
Considered a national expert on this condition, Dr. Griffin was sought out for his expertise in diagnosing and managing facial paralysis and facial nerve injury. “I was honored to help educate my colleagues in other specialties about this important topic,” he states. “The advancements in this field are progressing rapidly and I wanted to emphasize the emotional impact this condition can have on patients, as this allows their physicians to extend more comprehensive care,” Dr. Griffin continues.
The facial nerve is responsible for controlling all of the muscles of facial expression. As a result, when this nerve is injured, patients have difficulty with common movements such as smiling, closing their eyes, and keeping food in their mouths. This can make social interaction difficult and uncomfortable for the patient. “Studies have shown that patients with facial nerve paralysis have difficulty expressing their emotions accurately. This often leads to significant isolation and depression,” shares Dr. Griffin.
Bell’s palsy is the most common cause of facial paralysis, responsible for up to 70% of cases. The cause of Bell’s palsy is not completely understood, but its origins are likely linked to a virus that infects the facial nerve. “The infection ca