New Multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Clinic

More than 20 Michigan Medicine experts from 9 different subspecialties have joined together to create the Michigan Medicine Multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Clinic (MFC). The MFC is one of only a few programs in the world to offer fully integrated multispecialty care for facial nerve conditions in one convenient location — providing the most advanced and evidenced-based medical and surgical therapy, as well as facial retraining therapy for rehabilitation.

The facial nerve controls muscles used in everyday functions such as eating, speaking, smiling, blinking and closing the eyes. Damage to the facial nerve can result in paralysis of the affected muscles, paralytic ectropion (the turning out of the eyelid), or synkinesis (uncoordinated or unintentional facial movements). The most common cause of facial paralysis is Bell’s Palsy. Other underlying causes of facial paralysis include stroke, Lyme disease, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, brain tumors, head and neck tumors, trauma, surgery and congenital abnormalities.

Facial paralysis can be devastating for someone’s functional, aesthetic and emotional wellbeing, says Jennifer Kim, M.D., an otolaryngologist specializing in facial plastic surgery and a leader of the MFC. “Daily activities like eating and speaking are negatively impacted.”

“Without timely and integrated care, patients with facial nerve disorders can suffer from significant ophthalmic consequences,” says Shannon Joseph, M.D., M.Sc., an ophthalmologist specializing in oculoplastic surgery who led the initiative to establish the MFC with otolaryngologists Dr. Kim and Dr. Andrew Joseph. For example, when patients are unable to fully close their eyelids due to facial nerve damage. “The eye isn’t protected properly. The patient may experience dryness or irritation, or even develop corneal abrasions, scarring or ulceration — all of which can lead to vision impairment and possibly loss of vision,” states Dr.Shannon Joseph.

In the MFC, comprehensive eye care providers perform baseline ophthalmic evaluation and offer patients non-surgical management, including ocular surface lubrication and protective contact lenses for those with incomplete eyelid closure. “Some patients respond very well to scleral contact lenses which help preserve their corneal health,” says Colleen Podd, O.D., one of the contact lens specialists. The specific needs of each patient determine if additional specialists, such as neuro-ophthalmologist Lindsey De Lott, M.D., M.S., are needed. “For complex patients with underlying neurological diseases, the MFC ensures that they receive an integrated treatment plan,” says Dr. De Lott.

“Our mission at the Multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Clinic is to offer comprehensive and integrated patient-centered care in one place.” says Dr. Joseph. “Our team is committed to providing patients with the best experience possible.” For more information visit our website at: https://www.uofmhealth.org/ conditions-treatments/facial-nerve

Finding Answers and Hope at the Multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Clinic

Latisa Robinson was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy as a child. Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. It wasn’t until Ms. Robinson came to the Michigan Medicine Multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Clinic (MFC) in October that she discovered her facial nerve had never healed correctly. As a result, she continued to experience complications of facial paralysis that included issues with her left eye not fully closing.

“No one really knew how to treat my condition until I came here,” she says, noting the convenience of the MFC, which allowed her to have all appointments on the same day at the same location (the Kellogg Eye Center). “Everything was set up for me. It was very thorough.”

Robinson says treatment at the clinic has improved her condition and she looks forward to even greater improvement over time. The Detroit resident says she’s happy to make the drive to Michigan Medicine. “The Facial Nerve Clinic was a lifesaver for me,” she says. “I would do it in a heartbeat.”

Latisa Robinson