Frequently Asked Questions

How long before you went back to work?
I went back to work 27 days after the surgery. This is a bit faster than usual. It usually is longer. 

How long before you could drive?
I drove myself back to the hospital on day 10 after surgery to get my staples removed, and that was not a problem. I also drove myself up to the store the day after I got home from the hospital (day 6). That wasn't real smart. (Under the influence of pain meds..)  

How much hair do they shave off for the surgery?
(This is actually the number 1 most asked question..) It depends on your surgeon. In my case they only shaved a "stripe" up the back of my head. If it's real important to you, discuss it with your surgeon in advance.

Does that "minimally invasive" procedure work? 
No. Not compared to the more traditional procedures. I haven't heard from anyone who has had long term success with the minimally invasive surgery.  

How long was it before you felt normal after the surgery?
About 2 months or so. In some cases it can take MUCH longer. Allow yourself from 2-10 months to recover. Sometimes it is a slow process, sometimes it's not. I feel that it's important to listen to your body, and even more important to obey what your body tells you. If your body needs rest, then rest. If your body is telling you to forget the chiari and get back to living your life, then move on and leave the chiari behind.

Can I see a Chiropractor after I know I have a Chiari Malformation? 
Yes, just don't let them twist your head or neck. It's okay to visit them for lower or mid back pains, but if they say or imply they
can "fix" your Chiari by Chiropractic manipulation, they do not know much about Chiari. Feedback from thousands of patients shows that
it's much more likely to increase your symptoms than fix them. Neck manipulation almost always results in increased symptoms. 
This is not the same as having a traction procedure done by a Chiari Expert/Specialist.  

Is it okay to fly home shortly after having surgery?
Yes, as long as you're not the pilot.  

After a car accident / childbirth / or other trauma I started to have symptoms. Can trauma cause this ?
Trauma can "trigger" symptoms on a chiari patient, even if they have never had any symptoms before. It's extremely rare for trauma to "cause" chiari (it's generally considered to be a congenital condition) however there are a couple of documented cases in which the chiari was actually acquired.

I was just diagnosed with this and I'm scared!
That's not a question.  
Okay, I'll answer anyway. Everyone who gets this diagnosis is scared. You are not alone. In order to deal with this effectively you'll need to make extraordinarily good decisions, have a very positive attitude, be at peace with your course of action, and expect that you're outcome will be good. In my case, I felt rather inadequate to deal with this on my own.. so I used the awesome power of prayer-   God's healing powers combined with the skills of the neurosurgeon took care of things from there. If you're not of the believing sort.. well, maybe it's time.  If anyone, anywhere in the world has a better method for dealing with a symptomatic chiari malformation, I'd love to hear it, and I'll be glad to publish it. 

Would you do it all over again if you had to ?
Absolutely-with no hesitation.  

How long is the incision ?
Mine was about 6-7 inches. This is about average.

Can this come back again even after you've had the surgery ?
Yes, and trauma can also be a factor in recurring symptoms.  This can be a life-long battle. At times you'll win, at times it may seem as though you are losing. If it does seem like you are losing, it's time to adjust your strategy and attitude. Reach out for help- it's okay. You wouldn't expect to win the Indy 500 without a pit crew would you ?

What limitations do you have after surgery ?
It depends on who you ask. I feel kick-boxing and playing football are too rough on the head. I've also heard of people getting their symptoms back after riding a roller coaster or similar amusement ride. It's probably best to stay away from things that whip your head around. I play tennis, roller blade, lift weights.. stuff like that.  

I personally don't go along with the theory that you need to treat your body like an egg that's going to break if you do something wrong. Each day I'm thankful for all of the good things I have and the life I enjoy. This IS life, it's not a dress rehearsal. I'm not saying go crazy and do anything you want, I'm saying it's up to you to find that fine line between living a full life and limiting yourself when you need to. Personally, I don't limit myself very much. I'm focused on having a great life. I'm not focused on limitations. I know that any day, anytime I may be faced with recurring symptoms. That's fine with me. I've battled it once, I'll battle it again if I have to. The first time (now) I kept swinging until I had my life back.  If Chiari wants to challenge me some more, fine. I'll put on the gloves and do it again. 

Did you have a syrinx ?
No, just the Chiari I Malformation.

Is this surgery risky ?
No, I really don't feel it is- not if you've chosen an experienced surgeon.

Can you explain the procedure in layman's terms ?
The procedure involves removing a small section of skull bone at the rim of the foramen magnum (the hole in the base of your skull where your brainstem/spinal cord goes through) , and then they also (not always) will put a dural graft in the area of the chiari malformation to allow for more room back there. Also (and again.. not always) they will remove the back section of the c1 vertebra and possibly the C2 also to give the cerebellar tonsils even more room to co-exist down in the foramen magnum with your brain stem/spinal cord. This allows for the free flow of cerebral spinal fluid (and is a great insurance policy against getting a syrinx (or syringomyelia). If you already have syringomyelia, the new free flow of spinal fluid will often allow the syrinx to dissipate on it's own. In some cases a shunt is installed.

How could I find out if I have this ?
You need an MRI that shows the lower part of your brain and at least the top 2 cervical vertebra. A normal brain scan will usually do just fine.

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© Chip Vierow