Sports after decompression

[Rosieboardman]

Hey! I'm 14 and recently had surgery. Unfortunately I had a few complications but my ns says I should be able to go back too school in January. Before the diagnoses I played field hockey, lacrosse and netball. When do you think ill be able to go back to sports or shouldn't I? 23mm and syrinx all the way down my spine. Also in pe we do gymnastics, athletics ect. Are they alright to do? Any other restrictions? Thanks xxx

[selmaS]

  Hi zaking and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  Are you saying you believe you have Chiari? Have you had a MRI? Do you have copies of the MRI and report? If not, request them.

The best thing you can do is if you have not had a MRI, have one done to see if there is a pinched nerve or other issues like Chiari....let us know what you find out.

[selmaS]

  Hi ninjahusky007 and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Since Chiari is a  congenital condition we have symptoms our entire lives but since we have always had them, we consider these symptoms as "normal" but they are not...it's not until we are injured in a MVA, fall or some other trigger when the symptoms worsen and then we find out we have Chiari.

Like the football players with repetitive injuries and concussions...they are prone to more injuries if they continue to play contact sports and the reason for the NFL and players to look at this issue closer....

Well those with Chiari have a weak area that will be prone to more injuries....and depending on the individual....could lead to severe issues like paralysis...

It is not just it could cause you discomfort....but it could lead to the development of  a syrinx...or even cause the tonsils to herniate further....
Surgery will always be your decision....and some Drs will only do surgery if you develop a life threatening issue...which will leave you off worse then if you had the surgery b4 that point.....

Do more research....educate  yourself on related conditions and rule them ALL out b4 you decide on surgery or to wait and monitor....but know all you can b4 you make any decisions.

[zaking]

I think I have the same symptoms , it started when I went to a chiropractor I was complaining about a little pain in my knee but he said he will adjust my whole back , then that was it, he pop my upper back and crack my neck and that was my biggest mistake in my life so now I have the same symptoms that was described in this forum plus a herniated disc at T5 and T6 , any advice would be appre ciated

[ninjahusky007]

hi i'm new to chiari, got diagnosed feb 2016, about a month and a half after a terrifying MVA involving a tractor trailer on the highway.  i'm 39 and have played ice hockey and roller hockey all my life.  I was playing hockey about 4-5 times a week before the accident.  Now I have a headache that will not go away, sometimes really bad, other times not as bad.  Also neck pain, dizziness when changing positions lying down, occasional nausea, facial numbness and numbness in hands and feet.  I have a herniation of 26mm and some blockage of CSF.  Am so depressed about not being able to play anymore.  My blood pressure has went from 110/62 (checkup in november) to about 140/80 everytime I go to a dr and get it checked.  I just want to know WHY i can't play hockey - is it only that it would be uncomfortable for me?  Not sure if I am doing the surgery - 1 neuro said its up to me, 1 said he HIGHLY recommends it, and the most recent one is referring me to a physiatrist....  I just want to get back to my life before that stupid accident!

[dare2dream11]

Hi I am in college played sports before y diagnosis and with time was able to get back into sports. I do endurance sports competitively (more competitively than before my diagnosis) and once in a while will play field hockey and rugby, but not in a competitive manner. I waited until my NS cleared me and listened to his restrictions. Going back to sports gave me my life back. I would encourage everyone to try to get back to as close to normal as their doctors think is okay. Your NS knows best and will guide you in what you can take on and when. Good luck and have fun in your upcoming seasons if you decide to get back on the field.

[selmaS]

  Well again, in nething u may whack ur head is something I would not want to do, and it took me a few yrs for my balance issues to improve...I am much older and do have other conditions....

We are all different...and I suggest u wait, let ur body heal, listen to both ur Drs and ur body as to what u can do and when...if u over do it u will feel it....

[Rosieboardman]

Thanks! That's why I'm anxious about when to return tostuff -incase it goes all wrong, but none of my sports were in season when I started having symptoms it was all rather quick really and it wasn't until summer that began to get really ill so I'm not sure how much it will hurt, I'd imagine quite a bit though :/ what do you reakon about gymnastics though?

[selmaS]

  Hi...well I have to say this...it takes up to 2 yrs to fully heal inside...and some contact sports are just too full of contact to be safe even with out Chiari...look at the ex-boxers and pro football players and the issues they are having...if that doesn't help u decide nothing will.

SO, listen to ur body...and be smart...if u have pain stop what ever it is....

Surgery is not a cure, but a hope we will feel better and be able to continue on with our lives...but to add something that could re introduce pain...not sure I would even consider it...in fact as a child I had no intentions of participating as I already had pain and it looked like it would hurt to do many of those  very active sports....

I am sure once u r done healing there may be something u will be able to do since u r young..but soccer, and lacrosse, where ur head is used to hit the ball or gets hit by another players stick is not what I consider a good idea. JMHO

BTW- keep in mind a fall,  a blow to the head could mean more surgeries....and we r all diff, the thing is u never know, it is like gambling....

[linnielou232]

Congrats on your surgery and recovery.  I am a lot older than you so I don't know what it is like being this young and not being allowed to play the sports or activities that I want to do, but please listen to the NS.  I was also one of those who didn't listen and had to have 4 surgeries in all because I thought I could conquer the world.  Listen to your body and Dr. All will work out for the best for you.  I have to say.  Your young and your brave so you can conquer anything you can and can not do, but please listen to the advise you receive from Doc.  they know what is best for you and there are a lot of other things you can do in life than sports.  I know it would be hard to hear you shouldn't play, but as I said your young and flexible so you can adapt to anything.  Best wishes your way.  Right now just try to relax and let your body heal.  Worry about the little stuff when it comes your way.
Linda :)

[Viva001]

I think the truth is that we don't know.  Molly told it like it is for her.  My NS told me 1-2 yrs to see how much I heal (and I'm not returning to any schedule); others are forced to go back to work at 6 wks. when they are not ready.

It's best to be cautious in the short term, and then you can plan to return to sports in the long term.  Maybe you can take up ballet or some other dance?
good luck!

[soccero]

hi! i hope u r starting to feel better! im 19 and i had surgery three years ago and i was big time into soccer. i played after my first surgery and felt absolutely awful and is caused lots of problems since then ive had 17 surgeries i am told not to participate in contact sports and now i listen.
best of luck
molly