Migraine Headache Surgery St. Louis
General migraine info:
Migraine headaches are common (17-23% of the population) and can be debilitating (missed time from work, decreased quality of life).
How are migraines usually treated?
Oral medications are the first-line treatment. Sometimes these are not effective. Medications can also cause unwanted side effects.
Other options, such as Botox injections, have been FDA approved to treat chronic migraines.
What is migraine surgery?
Some, but not all, migraines are associated with compression or irritation of key nerves in your face and head.
A wide range of surgical procedures (customized to each patient) is used to relieve these irritating nerve triggers in the face and head. Surgery can reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of headaches, or even eliminate them altogether.
Some of these procedures are performed in our office (with you awake) under simple local anesthesia. More involved surgery is done under general anesthesia (with you asleep) at a surgery center or hospital. Most patients will go home the same day.
Who would benefit from migraine surgery?
Not everyone with headaches or migraines should have surgery.
People with headaches that are traceable to these irritating trigger sites are usually good candidates for surgery. Additionally, if your medications or other treatments don’t provide adequate relief, surgery might be able to help.
Does surgery work?
Yes. Successful long-term improvements in headache frequency, intensity, and duration following migraine surgery are reported by approximately 85% of patients.
How do I move forward?
Make an office appointment to be evaluated by Dr. Hulsen.
What will happen at my office appointment?
Accurately pinpointing any trigger sites, if present, is essential. You will be evaluated with a detailed history and examination. Additional testing and return visits may be needed.
A range of treatment options and a customized treatment plan, which may include surgery, will be discussed with you in detail after your workup is complete.