We are leaders in cosmetic surgery, facial aesthetics, and medically supervised weight loss, serving the entire San Francisco Bay area. Whether you live in the Bay Area or are coming in from out of town, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have on your path to your new self. Book your cosmetic surgery intro call or Med Spa consultation today and take the first step towards realizing the look you’ve always wanted for yourself.
After 5 Years my Ear Pulses with Pain Like a Pin Stuck in There
One of the things your surgeon may want to determine is whether a suture could be irritating, pulling on, or trapping a nerve, potentially the greater auricular nerve, which is located in this area. A nerve block at the site of the nerve can sometimes be helpful both diagnostically and therapeutically—if the pain improves significantly after the block, it may provide useful information about the source of the discomfort. Other treatments may also have a role depending on what is causing the pain. These can include massage or other techniques to help the nerve adapt as it heals, steroid injections in selected circumstances, and, if necessary, scar revision. The important thing is to have your surgeon examine you and determine what is most likely causing the pain before deciding which treatment would be appropriate.
Clinical Context
The greater auricular nerve runs just below the earlobe and can be stretched or caught during neck and facial surgery. When a nerve like this is irritated, it may heal abnormally and form a small area of tangled nerve fibers called a neuroma, which can cause sharp or pulsing pain. Because tissue healing continues long after surgery, this kind of pain can appear or worsen even years later, even if the incision looks completely healed.
