Day 27 - Finding exercises post neck dissection

Less than one minute read time.

Last night I decided to do some research into exercises to try and loosen up my neck as I am experiencing some tightness there. I'm also quite 'lumpy' along the scar and the skin is swollen and quite solid/ tight feeling. I found this leaflet from Mount Vernon which has some good exercises.

http://www.ljmc.org/pi_series/PI47_Physiotherapy_after_Neck_Dissection_Surgery.pdf

I also bought some Aqueous cream from superdrug, a huge pot for about £3. So after the exercises I tried to do some massage around the neck because everything seems to be telling me I need to encourage the fluid to drain a different way now I have no lymph glands. Some where I read it was like traffic on a motor. If the motor is closed you have to encourage it to take the A roads and B roads. I still find this difficult as I don't like the feel of my neck. I've also noticed that although I can eat quite well my mouth is only opening about 1.5cm. I'm not sure if this is what they call Trismus? I found exercises for that here

http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/resources/trismus

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hello DLC ... yes, you can expect some stiffness / tenderness after a neck dissection so I'm sure that exercises can be useful. However, I would always check with your team that they are okay to do at this early stage ? Even after six years my neck and scar line can feel very tight so I use Bio-oil ... it helps : )

    Yes, I think trimus is when you have difficulty opening your mouth, some other group members have experienced this so worth posting over there, too.

    Joycee x