Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes severe facial pain. In simple terms, this condition is often described as facial nerve pain that feels like an electric shock, stabbing sensation, or sharp pain that suddenly appears on one side of the face. The pain can occur in areas such as the cheek, jaw, gums, or around the eyes.
In some patients, pain attacks can be triggered by simple activities such as talking, chewing, brushing teeth, or even a light touch on the face. As a result, trigeminal neuralgia can significantly disrupt daily activities and reduce quality of life because patients often live in fear that the pain may suddenly return.
One treatment option for this condition is the Microvascular Decompression (MVD) procedure. This procedure aims to relieve pressure from a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve, which is the main cause of the pain. The procedure can be performed by Mardjono Joy Tjahjadi, Sp.BS, Subsp. N-Vas, F. N-Onk, PhD, FICS, IFAANS, commonly known as Dr. Joy, a neurosurgeon at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri who has extensive experience in treating neurological disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia.
The success of this procedure has also been experienced by a 65-year-old patient from Surakarta, Central Java. The patient had previously suffered from trigeminal neuralgia that caused severe facial pain and significantly disrupted daily activities. After undergoing the MVD procedure performed by Dr. Joy at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, the patient’s facial pain was successfully treated with optimal results.
“My trigeminal pain is completely gone. Dr. Joy has checked it, and everything is good now,” the patient said with relief after undergoing the MVD procedure at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.
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Severe Facial Pain That Disrupted Daily Activities
The 65-year-old patient from Surakarta had been suffering from trigeminal neuralgia for approximately 10 years. The condition caused sudden and intense pain on the right side of the face.
“The right side of my face felt like it was being electrocuted. On a pain scale from 1 to 10, it was around an 8. It was extremely painful, even bringing tears to my eyes.”
The pain could even be triggered by simple things that normally would not cause discomfort for others, such as a light touch or a gentle breeze. As a result, daily activities became very limited.
“When the fan blows or when the wind touches my face, it hurts so much. When the pain comes back, even brushing my teeth becomes difficult. I also cannot chew food, so I have to swallow it directly.”
Previously, the patient had tried various treatments and consulted several doctors. However, the facial pain kept returning and continued to affect the patient’s quality of life.
Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia and Treatment with MVD
According to Dr. Joy, trigeminal neuralgia generally occurs due to contact between a blood vessel and the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve) in the brain.
This contact irritates the nerve and triggers sudden sharp pain in the facial area.
“Trigeminal neuralgia occurs because the fifth cranial nerve comes into contact with a blood vessel, which causes irritation to the nerve,” explained Dr. Joy.
To address this condition more effectively, one of the treatment options is the Microvascular Decompression (MVD) procedure. The goal of this procedure is to separate the blood vessel pressing on the nerve so that the irritation can stop.
During the MVD procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear to access the affected nerve. The blood vessel is then carefully separated from the nerve, and a special material is placed between them to prevent further contact.
MVD Surgery Results: Facial Pain Completely Resolved
After undergoing the MVD procedure at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, the patient experienced a very significant improvement. The facial pain that previously appeared suddenly is no longer present.
“My trigeminal pain is completely gone. Dr. Joy has checked it, and everything is good now,” the patient said with relief.
After the surgery, the patient also underwent follow-up evaluations to ensure that the nerve had recovered properly. Several months after the procedure, the patient has not experienced the severe facial pain that previously disrupted daily life.
“I asked if I needed vitamins or medication. The doctor said I didn’t need any,” the patient added.
This story shows that with accurate diagnosis and treatment from an experienced specialist, trigeminal neuralgia—which can be extremely painful—can be effectively treated so that patients can return to their daily activities more comfortably.
Profile and Practice Schedule of Dr. Joy at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Dr. Mardjono Joy Tjahjadi, Sp.BS, Subsp. N-Vas, F. N-Onk, PhD, FICS, IFAANS, widely known as Dr. Joy, is a neurosurgeon with subspecialty expertise in cerebrovascular diseases. He is widely recognized for his ability to treat a variety of neurological disorders, particularly those related to abnormalities of blood vessels in the brain.
Dr. Joy obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Helsinki, Finland. His research focused on brain aneurysms, including studying the mechanisms behind the formation of aneurysms as well as clinical approaches for their diagnosis and treatment.
In addition to providing medical services to patients at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, Dr. Joy is also active in the academic field. He is the author of the book Memahami Aneurisma Otak, which has been published in two editions. The book discusses brain aneurysms comprehensively, covering causes, disease mechanisms, diagnostic methods, and available treatment options.
In his clinical practice, Dr. Joy frequently handles complex neurological cases, including:
- Brain aneurysm
- Narrowing of brain blood vessels (stenosis)
- Brain hemorrhage
- Brain tumors
- Brain cancer
With extensive clinical experience, a strong academic background, and training in various international neurosurgical centers, Dr. Joy is recognized as one of the leading neurosurgeons in Indonesia. His expertise is particularly notable in handling complex cases involving brain blood vessels and brain tumors.
For patients who wish to consult, Dr. Joy’s practice schedule at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri is as follows:
- Monday: By appointment
- Tuesday: 14.00 – 17.00 WIB
- Wednesday: By appointment
- Thursday: 08.00 – 12.00 WIB
- Friday: 14.00 – 17.00 WIB
- Saturday: 08.00 – 12.00 WIB
To make your visit easier, you can use the WhatsApp Chat, Book Appointment, or the Care Dokter application, available on Google Play and App Store, to schedule visits, check queue numbers, and obtain other important information before coming to Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.
