Diagnosis, Management, and Return to Sport of a 16-Year-Old Patient With a Chiari I Malformation: A Case Report and Literature Review

This CASE report presents a 16-year-old female volleyball, basketball and track & field athlete who was diagnosed with a Chiari I Malformation following a concussion. Surgical decompression was recommended and performed 3 months following her initial diagnosis. This patient presented unique challenges due to her age, desire to return-to-sport, and the lack of access to medical care due to living in a rural area. There are few evidence-based best-practice recommendations for the management and return-to-sport of Chiari I Malformation patients, particularly for post-surgical Chiari I Malformation cases. This case study discusses the treatment and return-to-sport process for the patient, and also provides a comprehensive review of the published literature on patients attempting to return-to-sport following Chiari I Malformation diagnosis. Additionally, this case report suggests and explores the utilization of an athletic trainer to reconcile various barriers in management and return-to-sport evident in this case and the reviewed literature.