Expert: Vicharn Lipisuwanchote - 11/16/2006

Question
i was diagnosed with tethered cord and they said that my tonsils in the back of
my head are 5mm lower than they should me..i have pain everyday ,
headaches, numbness, tingling..etc...im 28 and after 15 years they finally came
to the conclusion that i need surgery.  Yet they wont do surgery on the chiari but
are treating the cord....can you shed some light on this...thanks..any info would
be greatly appreciated...Steph

Answer
tethered cord syndrome should be corrected as soon as detected , or at least before have permanent neuro dysfunction.and should be done under neuro-surgeon ,as your doctor says.
about the brain chiari, if it causes incresased intracranial pressure, a headache happens.by this, surgical decompression can be a benefit.
but other cause should be ruled out first.