Results

Being able to see ‘Before’ and ‘After’ pictures means that we can see what is possible with the right treatment.

Head and Neck Scarring

History:
* Left Parotid Carcinoma removed from cheek 12 May 2020
* Second surgery required to unblock a salivary duct
* 6 weeks of radiation therapy

Initial symptoms: 
* Affected area was tight, pulling, and painful
* The scar was sensitive, especially behind the ear
* Unable to open mouth wide
* Neck movements were tight, stiff and uncomfortable

Treatment strategies used in various combinations:
*
Scar massage
* Sustained stretching of neck and mouth
* Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
* Fascial release
* Taping

Results / Improvements:
*
Improved neck rotation with less overall tightness
* Reduced pain and ache
* Improved ability to open mouth wider
* Reduced scar sensitivity
* Improved scar pliability
* Better shape to jaw and cheek due to reduced swelling and congestion 

Timeframe:
*
Over 3 months – includes 3 x 1-hour therapy sessions + self-management

Head and Neck Scarring

History:
* T3-T4 Laryngeal SCC
* Surgery occurred on 21 July 2020 with the following outcomes:
– total laryngectomy (removal of voice box)
– total thyroidectomy
– bilateral radical neck dissection (removal of all lymph nodes from both sides of neck)
– permanent tracheostomy 
– insertion of a PEG tube for feeding/eating
* 6 weeks of radiation therapy

Initial symptoms:
*
Affected area was tight and painful
* Reduced neck movement
* Slow healing wounds
* The skin and tissues around the jaw and neck were firm and fibrotic

Treatment strategies used in various combinations:
* Scar massage
* Sustained stretching of the neck
* Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
* Cupping
* Taping
* Low-level laser therapy

Results / Improvements:
*
Improved neck movement
* Reduced pain and ache
* Softening of the tissues
* Reduced fibrotic tissue around the neck
* Improved healing around his tracheostomy site (neck airway)
* Less swelling and congestion around the neck and face
* All communication was via writing / gesture due to no voice box

Timeframe:
* 5 x 1 hour therapy sessions.  There was no self-management at all

Leg Scarring

History:
* Left knee Tibeal Plateau fracture
* Surgery to insert pins and plates on 23 March 2021

Initial symptoms:
* Affected area was swollen, tight and painful
* Scar sensitivity
* Scar adhesions along tibea bone
* Not able to weight-bear for approx 2 months

Treatment strategies used in various combinations:
* Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
* Taping
* Low-level laser therapy
* Sequential Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (SIPC)
* Scar massage

Results / Improvements:
*
Reduced swelling and congestion
* Improved colour of the tissues
* Reduced scar adhesions
* Reduced sensitivity
* A mature, pliable scar

Timeframe:
* Over 12 months with consistent self-management

General OT

before after
yellow-diamond-shape

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