Was diagnosed with borderline Chiari and have syrinx in cervical area. Have had pain and problems in the "cape" area between shoulders. Almost positive this resulted from a fall in 2009. I see the neurosurgeon on Sept. 26. Do NOT want to have decompression surgery. The doctor (bone and joint specialist at that) who discovered this said NS will probably want to do full spine MRI and then go from there.

Has anyone out there chosen to forego decompression and perhaps opt for shunt only? Did this help? I've researched this topic until I'm more confused now than I was in the beginning!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!