Hello,
My daughter has been playing soccer since she was 6, she was recently diagnosed with CM1 and her NS says she can continue to play as long as she feels up to it. I still feel nervous about letting her try out for the high school team. She starts high school this Sept. Any feedback appreciated.
Thanks.
Star
Hello!
I am 43 and was diagnosed with C1M 2 years ago. I have played soccer since I was 5 years old. I played club soccer as well as high school. I even played in college! I did have 2 major concussions but I did not become symptomatic at that time. I played for many years without any problem. I became symptomatic 3 years ago as far s headaches go, but am now realizing I had many other symptoms earlier on. I have researched his same topic in the event my kids have C1M as well. It seems that having the surgery as a child reduces the risk of dangerous brain stem or spinal cord compression if your child were to sustain a head injury while playing. I would not have my child have surgery if he or she was not experiencing symptoms that greatly limited their function. I played for many years at a high level and did not have problems until much later in life. If I didn’t play soccer, have 2 concussions and head countless soccer balls, maybe I never would have developed any symptoms. I have quit soccer now so I don’t make anything worse. You have to make your decision based on how important this sport is to your child and based on how aggressively she plays. If she can take up another non-contact sport and like it just as much…then why even take the risk with soccer? There isn’t a clear cut answer. Your best bet would be to get another opinion from a neurosurgeon that specializes in Chiari. Good luck with your decision!
Thank you for your input. My daughter made the JV team at her H.S. She had an MRI last April, and her doctor released her to play soccer. He said as long as she feels up to it she can continue to play. So far, she's doing fine. Her season starts in January, so that's when the true test will be. Thank you for your advice.
hatchjo said:
Hello!
I am 43 and was diagnosed with C1M 2 years ago. I have played soccer since I was 5 years old. I played club soccer as well as high school. I even played in college! I did have 2 major concussions but I did not become symptomatic at that time. I played for many years without any problem. I became symptomatic 3 years ago as far s headaches go, but am now realizing I had many other symptoms earlier on. I have researched his same topic in the event my kids have C1M as well. It seems that having the surgery as a child reduces the risk of dangerous brain stem or spinal cord compression if your child were to sustain a head injury while playing. I would not have my child have surgery if he or she was not experiencing symptoms that greatly limited their function. I played for many years at a high level and did not have problems until much later in life. If I didn't play soccer, have 2 concussions and head countless soccer balls, maybe I never would have developed any symptoms. I have quit soccer now so I don't make anything worse. You have to make your decision based on how important this sport is to your child and based on how aggressively she plays. If she can take up another non-contact sport and like it just as much...then why even take the risk with soccer? There isn't a clear cut answer. Your best bet would be to get another opinion from a neurosurgeon that specializes in Chiari. Good luck with your decision!