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Recovery from Chiari Surgery

Hi there, after a 2.5 year struggle with various debilitating symptoms my 17 yr old daughter has been diagnosed with a 10mm malformation and has been advised to have the Surgery.  She is very apprehensive as the neurosurgeon has explained that the initial recovery period can be very painful. I would be great full to hear other people's experience of this particularly young people. We are in Ireland if there are any irish patients on here also. Thank you.
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  So there is an obstruction of CSF flow...did they do MRI's of the thoracic and lumbar spine to rule out a syrinx?

Let your daughter know, surgery is not a cure, but a means to slow progression and restore CSF flow.....with an obstruction a syrinx can form, once formed it must be addressed as this development can lead to perm nerve damage.....so it would be in her interest to find the beat Dr for her....and to make sure ALL related conditions are rued out......take your time to get the testing and make sure the Dr is right for her.
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

Hi Mollp and welcome  to the Chiari forum.

With the info you have given it sounds like surgery was offered due to her symptoms and length of herniation....BUT, do you know if she has any other related conditions?  It is related conditions That can affect recovery and it is important to rule them out and know ALL that is going on b4 surgery is considered.

I am not young, but have had the surgery....we do have a few members in Ireland....but again I am not sure we have anyone her age.....

May I ask what symptoms she has been dealing with?
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1 Comments
Hi Selma and thank you for the reply. She had a Cinema MRI which showed a blockage and pressure in the area. She has had a build up of symptoms over the last 2+ years including weakness and burning in her legs first her left then her right leg too which leaves her unable to walk or stand for extended periods. Headaches, Dizziness, nausea, insomnia. Most recently her hands have become painful and spasm making it difficult for her to hold a pen or write for any length of time. This causes difficulty in school as she is a good student. She also complains of a sort of brain fog and finds it hard to retain information although she tries hard to study. Her MRI also showed a slight scoliosis.
She is terrified at the thoughts of surgery  ut is prepared to have it if it means a return to some semblance of a life normal to a 17 yr old which she hasn't had for over 2 years.  Any advice would be welcome. Thank you. Mary
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