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carotid endarterectomy neck numbness

Posted by rjbb2 @rjbb2, Apr 15 9:35am

Had carotid endarterectomy right side done 5 months ago and ever since my neck, from jaw line down has been numb on the right side. Anyone else experience this? Is this a permanent condition? Was a nerve cut during surgery?

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gloaming | @gloaming | Apr 15 1:13pm

It is most likely, yes. We like to think that we're very much the same below the skin, but if you compare the backs of people's hands and look at the routing of veins, for example, it is quite obvious that there is a lot of variation, and this applies to peripheral nerves as well.

This is not a definitive answer; I'm not a health care professional. I would run this past your GP if I were you, or by the surgeon.

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alexismayo | @alexismayo | Jun 30 9:35pm

I too had a carotid endarterectomy in April, 2024. Vascular surgeon told me it could take up to a year for the sensation/numbness to go away. I don't have any pain so I'm okay with it. Hope this helps a bit.

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rjbb2 | @rjbb2 | Jul 1 7:44am

Thanks for your reply. Yes, it helps to know you were told the same thing; taking a year for the numbness to clear up. I too, have no pain associated with the numbness. My surgery was done the early part of Jan 2024 so 6 more months to go before a year is up. The numbness is small price to pay for reduced stroke chances.

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1 reply
alexismayo | @alexismayo | Jul 6 9:22am
In reply to @rjbb2 "Thanks for your reply. Yes, it helps to know you were told the same thing; taking..." + (show)
@rjbb2

Thanks for your reply. Yes, it helps to know you were told the same thing; taking a year for the numbness to clear up. I too, have no pain associated with the numbness. My surgery was done the early part of Jan 2024 so 6 more months to go before a year is up. The numbness is small price to pay for reduced stroke chances.

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You're not kidding rjbb2, I'm with you!!! I think the bottom line is it's simply curious, right? Next time I see the vascular surgeon though I'm going to ask him about that patch they use after the incision. I would like to know if that patch (and I believe it's porcine) does it attract anything to it since it's a foreign substance. My feeling is they have been doing the CEA for so long and they must have perfected it the best they could along the way. Happy Healing to you.

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