Can My son play rugby???

[joesmum5]

Hi all, our son has recently been diagnosed with chiairi 1 with syrinx and is awaiting an appointment to see a surgeon, we know very little about the condition and we are obviously anxious about it. I am wrried as he will be playing rugby forthe first time for p.e in school and I dont want to show concern without good reason, please help am I worrying over nothing?????

[linnielou232]

I agree with every one above.  I now avoid, but I did have surgery, anything to do with the head.  You want to avoid any more injury your son could add this a problem he already has.  Having Chairi is life altering as sad as this is, but you want the best for you DS.  We wish you the best and we are here for you in this journey.  I highly suggest asking the NS about this before he participates.  There are other thing's your DS can enjoy without getting injured.  Best of luck.

[Rylanesmom]

My NS said that anything that can cause direct impact to the top of your head is forever a no during my post op discussion.  If I am correct rugby is like football and they don't wear helmets.  Do please check with your NS and be careful.

[selmaS]

   Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  There are many Drs that will say yes to playing this sport, but if u ask those that have it and had surgery, they will tell u  there is no way u can no how he is going to feel post op to even consider answering the question...but, IMHO he should not...as I am seeing the more we do post op that is jarring we r more likely to suffer set backs and not do as well as if we would have avoiding the activity.

  Get a few opinions of true chiari specialists....do not go to just one and choose surgery and think this is a fix, as there is no cure just a means to restore flow and slow progression....and what we do or do not do can also aid in that.

  May I ask how ur DS's Chiari was dx'd?...what symptoms did he present with?


    "selma"

[drewlevas]

Hi and welcome.

I'm sad for your son for he have Chiari. But you found the right forum for support. There is always someone to listen to you here. I'm not to familiar with Rugby, but I believe it's a bit like americain football. Usually contact sport are not recomended for people with Chiari, but you should talk about it with your doctor/neurosurgeon. Here is a web link for things to avoid with Chiari:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological-Disorders/Activities-to-avoid-with-Chiari-and-Syringomyelia/show/986?cid=186