The Doctor is in

• I am 46 years old. Back in 1988, I underwent a surgery for Arnold Chairi malformation at c1-c2. Nowadays, I am suffering from a sluggish sensation at the bottom of my right foot and in my right palm. Sometimes the leg feels either very heavy or light and sometimes I lose my balance during walking. I am not getting sound sleep either. Please suggest a remedy.
D K Sarkar

Dr PN Ranjan, Senior consultant, Neurology, Indraprastha Apollo hospital, says:

Arnold Chairi malformation is a congenital malformation of the posterior fossa. If you are having difficulty in walking or a sensation of reeling, it is better to see a neurologist and have an MRI scan done to check for any other defects in the area that you have been operated upon. It is also advisable that you avoid excessive coughing, because this will increase your intra cranial pressure, which may further increase the symptoms.