Understanding Chiari malformation

Learn what a Chiari malformation is, how it is diagnosed and what types of treatment may help.

The Brain & Spine Foundation is a UK-based charity and here to support anyone affected by a neurological problem.

[nealcook]

This is a fantastic resource, thank you for developing this

[davidwas]

I’ve known for about a year or 2 about my chiari, along with having pots disease, which can coincide with chiari, it makes so much sense about why I’m having all these symptoms. Personally I have the headaches, neck pain, fatigue and muscle weakness, nausea, and insomnia roughly.

[I_am_Diogenes]

I was told by a neurologist there was nothing he would do . Yes, he refused to treat me . At least he let me know I had this condition . Minor lifestyle changes manage it for the most part, no more weight lifting or heavy lifting of any kind . Feels like someone hit me in the back of the neck with a baseball bat when it acts up . Not to mention when it gets throbbing thats a different matter all together .
After two previous neck operations to fuse vertebra 3-6 I doubt I can find a surgeon to treat it when it becomes too much for me to handle myself .

[perijetton]

I am a zipper head and had the decompression surgery 4 years ago. I consider it a success. I still have minor issues but most of them are much better. 💜

[kierongowans]

That's an interesting thought decompression I could have more info about this procedure. I was told it is a risky operation

[RandyR]

Diagnosed with Chari Malfornation 2 officially 11 years. Now adding Severe Spinal Stenosis. Was wondering if this is what led to a hole over an inch, on the left side of my head? Now have the xray proof. They want to do surgey but don't have the $$$. Am in constant pain. The twitches are shifting my head left. Started when I was 45. Went away an returned a third time in 2010

[kierongowans]

I have type 1 which causes me to have migraines, but giving up caffeine can help with less migraine attacks.

[karinkriel]

I had an Arnold Chiari malformation decompression in 1993. I was symptom free after the operation. During August 2021 I was in a motor vehicle accident and had a very bad whiplash. A started experiencing symptoms of Arnold Chiari after the accident. Wonder if anubody else was for years symptom free and then started with the symptoms years later.

[GA-ikpi]

I got diagnosed in 2018 with Chiari malformation, though now I’m kinda sure it’s type II rather than type I
I’ve recently started having new symptoms (after being able to pain manage for past two years), I’ve started having spasms in the middle and lower parts of my back. Plus also pulsating pain at the base of my skull. I do exercise, but rigorous ones seems to aggravate it, so I try to modify. And sometimes it could be sitting or not sitting. Has anyone with the same condition experienced anything like this?😕
And I also have a curved spine

[abhisrt]

Even after having that decompression surgery 9 years ago, I am still struggling with the symptoms...

[sandywhat]

Type of Chiari doesn't necessarily mean severity of symptoms.
Chiairi Malformation is very hereditary.
Chiari patients should be warned about things to not do like running, anything that can pull down, epidural, spinal taps etc.

[linajoop]

I had numbness over my hand and also lack sensation (abnormal) towards temperature, which continues to persist even after surgery done on 2018.

[lynnking]

Question is drooling one of the symptoms of chiari malformation

[sarah]

Mine is 11mm but can’t find a Dr to help me an I think this caused all my nerve damage

[deniserowley]

Have doctors not known about this until recently.

[spyder]

Wow, only 41 comments on this after 3 years.

You would think it would be more frequently spoken of due to the pain felt.

[ryanweston]

How does lifestyle changes help with CM?

[bhupatbhaikarmur]

Hello namste very good video me indian Gujarat

[sanjeevmehta]

Hi, I am Sanjeev Mehta from Mumbai, India. In 2009 I hv been detected with Arnold Chiari Malformation/Syringomyelia Condition and was operated immediately for Magnum Decompression. Can you pl guide me further for future safety and Completely recovering from this Condition? Pl help.

[deniserowley]

Nobody mentions psychosis as a symptom