How long is recovery from Chiari decompression surgery?
Recovery from the actual surgery varies from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your general health. After surgery, you can expect headache and neck pain from the incision that may last several weeks.
What are the risks of Chiari malformation surgery?
Risks of surgery include excessive bleeding, cerebrospinal fluid leak, infection, no relief of symptoms, paralysis, problems swallowing, abnormal eye movements and anesthesia complications.
What is foramen magnum syndrome?
“Foramen Magnum Syndrome” is composed of: 1. Cape distribution of sensory loss; 2. Atrophy of the intrinsic muscles of the hands; 3. Neck or suboccipital pain; 4. Dysesthesia of the hands (numbness, tingling, and cold sensation); 5.
How painful is Chiari decompression surgery?
You can expect to experience pain and discomfort, especially when turning or lifting your head, so you’ll be prescribed medications for pain and muscle spasms. After Chiari malformation surgery, fatigue and weakness, and headaches are common.
What can you not do after Chiari decompression surgery?
In the weeks following surgery, you can gradually return to normal activities, but you may be advised to avoid strenuous exercise. Walking can help with circulation and muscle tone while you recover.
What are the risks of magnum decompression surgery?
Specific Risks of Foramen Magnum Decompression The specific risks will be discussed in detail prior to your surgery but may include: Damage nerves in the brain (cranial nerves) resulting in facial numbness, weakness of the face, loss of vision or double vision, difficulty swallowing or coughing, tongue paralysis respiratory and cardiac problems.
What is forforamen magnum decompression?
Foramen magnum decompression, or posterior fossa craniectomy, is the surgery procedure used to treat Chiari malformation. Chiari malformation is a benign abnormality that results in a part of the brain extending into the upper spinal canal.
What is foramen magnum decompression for Chiari?
Chiari malformation occurs when the spinal cord is under pressure from a lower part of the brain called the cerebellum. The process of foramen magnum decompression involves removing small parts of the base of the skull and sometimes the top of the spine to alleviate pressure on the cerebellum.
What are the risks of decompression surgery for meningitis?
Some infections require wound revision surgery, to remove pus and infected tissue in order to improve healing. Meningitis is an additional surgical risk when the dura is opened during a decompression. It is characterized by inflammation of the meninges, the linings of the brain.