As the name signifies, Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a nerve pain condition affecting the main nerve of the face (trigeminal nerve) and causing repeated sudden attacks of severe pain generally on one side of the face.
There is one trigeminal nerve on each side. It carries touch and painsensations from your face and controls the muscles used in chewing.The nerve divides into three main branches
- 1st branch- V1 (ophthalmic branch)goes to the scalp, forehead and the region around the eye
- 2nd branch- V2 (maxillary branch) goes to the cheek area
- 3rd branch- V3 (mandibular branch) goes to the jaw area
There are many options available to control the pain in TN including medications, interventional pain procedures and surgery.
Medications
Interventional pain procedures
Local nerve blocks
Radiofrequency treatment