Having right lateral neck disection. Is shoulder weakness common?

Yes, because it affects the nerve from the side of your face down through the shoulder. I could barely move my arm for two months and still have discomfort after two years. If this happens seek PT, it will help. Good luck and God bless!

I had my surgery 18 months ago. I had to rehab my shoulder and still have issues with the side of my face/mouth. Best of luck! You got this.

Thank you. I hope your discomfort improves.

Thank you. Wishing you the best with your recovery.

I had TORS robotic surgery April 2023 which included right neck dissection with all lymph nodes removed as cancer had spread to a couple of lymph nodes. The TORS surgery was to remove primary tumor of 3cm at base of tongue. The Neck contains many nerves which are cut or disrupted during the dissection. One major one will effect raising the arm or shoulder. I was fortunate and did not have any issues with either. However, I was pretty much totally numb on my entire jaw/neck leading up to my ear and side of my skull above the ear. I also had lip drop on my mouth which caused me to use a hand to "open" my mouth while eating for a few weeks. OK.. the Good news. As of today about 18 months out I am mostly healed with little to no lingering issues. If your surgery is today I know you will have a difficult week but hang in there as things will improve greatly.

Hi,
You could google accessory nerve injury. This is a spinal nerve. If the surgery disturbed or severed, the nerve can leave you with a long term disability, ie, not being able to shrug shoulders, lift arms over head etc. This was my case in a modified neck dissection. However, I had nerve repair and the Dr told me that nerves take forever to regenerate and sometimes do not. In surgery this nerve for your friend, may have “only” been stunned. I would encourage exploring thru MRI or other means to check to see if the nerve was damaged. Mine was completely severed.

I’m 78 and had TORS the end of June ‘24 and was told to expect weakness due to the right side dissection, which was correct. Initially had very noticeable weakness and limits on range of motion. Started PT, primarily to improve range of motion, about a month after surgery. Saw gradual improvement over 6 weeks and then started working on strength improvement on my own. I’m probably 98% back at this point. I play a lot of golf and initially lost about 20% of my distance. It’s completely back now. Stay patient and do the work after you’ve recovered from the surgery. Good luck!

I had tors and a left side neck dissection on 10/19/24 for a base of tongue tumor. Pathology came back negative on both. Have a pet scan in 3 weeks and hope it is still negative.
I was given exercises on my two week follow up but I really didn’t follow this. Now I am seeing a physical therapist as I am having issues with my left arm. Should have done the exercises like I was told! My muscle you see when you look in the mirror from your head to your shoulder looks like it disappeared on my left side. Mostly numb from where I was cut on my neck to my jaw. I know it has gotten better but just don’t know if it will improve further. Best wishes!

Thank you. I have numbness from top of ear to the middle of my jaw and my neck, right side. My shoulder is sore but seems to move okay. Ear aches are awful but come and go. They removed 41 lymph nodes, 5 were involved in metastasis. Only two had shown up on CT. My PTC started on the left side. Now I'm concerned about the left lymph nodes. I don't want to do this again. Is it very difficult to identify nodules in lymph nodes? My TT and central neck dissection was just over a year ago. I think I am starting to spiral... I want the craziness to stop. It was supposed to be a one and done. PTC is the "good cancer" if you are going to get cancer. I am feeling defeated today.

Yes it can be frustrating and Everyone just wants to go back to normal or a "new normal that is tolerable. My shoulder was sore or weak but I could lift my arms well and within a couple of weeks no issues there. They did a PET scan on my neck prior to my neck dissection. Two nodes showed signs of cancer. Indeed once they remove about 40 lymph nodes those only had the cancer. I had Proton radiation to "cleanup" any cancer cells in the neck/lymph node area that may have remained. I am curious if you are scheduled for any follow up radiation to that area?