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Are there specific precautions to having a VP shunt such as avoid rolling or hanging upside down or putting pressure on the location of the shunt? For a specific answer to this question, it would be important to know more information about your hydrocephalus, type of shunt, and your neurosurgeon’s preferences. Thus, the best answer to this question should occur between a patient and his/her neurosurgeon. In general terms, over 90% of neurosurgeons who were recently surveyed about sports participation and ventricular shunts felt non-contact physical activity was safe. A review of the literature found that less than 1% of all shunt problems were attributed to sport-related incidents. The Medical Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of the Hydrocephalus Association have issued a consensus statement encouraging participation in “regular activities including school and after school physical education programs and recreational sporting activities.” This would include usual amounts of tumbling, rolling, and hanging upside down. This would also include non-sustained pressure over the shunt and tubing. There is a difference of opinion about participation in contact sports, with equal thirds of neurosurgeons recommending 1) no participation in any contact sports, 2) participation in some contact sports, or 3) full participation in any contact sport. This is another specific question for your own neurosurgeon. References: Sports and Pediatric Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts: Who Can Play? |