I had my tonsils removed on Thursday and am now having pain in my ears is that n!

I had my tonsils removed on Thursday and am now having pain in my ears is that normal?

I had my tonsils removed on Thursday, I still can barely swallow and have recently started having pain in my ears and teeth, is this normal?

The innervation or "nerve supply" to the ears is complex but involves several of the cranial nerves, in particular Cranial Nerves 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12. As these nerves also supply the face, nose, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx any process causing irritation to these areas may result in perceived ear pain. Additionally, the sensory nerves supplying the maxilla and mandible, where the teeth live, derive from these nerves.

What you are likely experiencing is referred pain. To understand this concept realize that the brain's mapping of somatic vs visceral end organs is not only different neuroanatomically but very different in the way the brain interprets the afferent or sensory information.

The sensory cortex of the brain is precisely mapped out with regard to somatic or non-organ structures. This is termed a homunculus which can be seen in any anatomy book of the human body. The viscera, or organs such as tonsils, liver, heart, etc. are innervated with sensory nerves but are not at all mapped with the precision of say the fingers.

If a point on a finger, toe, leg, scalp, face etc. is touched with a needle the brain knows precisely (with millimeter discrimination) where that point is. Not true of viscera. If one were to be conscious and simultaneously have the thorax or abdomen opened surgically, touching or even injuring the lungs, heart, stomach, liver etc. would produce a perceived stimulus but the brain would not be able to accurately localize where this is originating. This is why it is difficult to determine where pain, for example, is originating in the abdomen as opposed to pain originating in a joint.

The length of recovery from a tonsillectomy varies from person to person. Therefore, the length of time to have all the associated swelling of tissue and surgically induced inflammation recede varies as well. It is not uncommon to have ear pain following a tonsillectomy.

What is important is that you stay in contact with your surgeon, follow his/her post-operative care instructions and communicate any concerns you have in a timely manner.

DrEarp