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Board certified neurosurgeon w/ 6,000+ procedures. Expertise in spinal stenosis & pinched nerves, spinal decompression & fusion surgery, spina bifida & tethered cord release, Chiari, hydrocephalus & VP shunts, craniosynostosis. Meningiomas & gliomas. I write a blog for lay people: surgeonwriter.com
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Neurosurgery
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
59 Answers
53 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
No.: A vp shunt should not affect sex drive. This brief, informative, and free monograph on hydrocephalus may be of interest to you and answers your questi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Several types: I have discussed this question in detail on my own blog.
Go to http://wp.me/s382os-hydrolog
and download the free monograph HYDROCEPHALUS: An Owner'... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
No : Tinitus will having nothing to do with diet or sleeping habits. If you are otherwise doing well, neither of these conditions needs any real treatment.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Tough ??: Inflammation of the meninges is generally a result of (and not a cause of) CSF leak. In fact, some inflammation in the presence of a leak may help sea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Leave it alone: This would be a purely cosmetic operation and a very difficult one. Much blood loss and hard on the patient. And you would likely be disappointed with... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
CSF buildup in head: It's a buildup of spinal fluid in the head. Read the free monograph, Hydrocephalus: An Owner's Manual, at http://surgeonwriter.com/hydrolog/
It's FRE... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Too vague: This is an incredibly vague ??? If you are concerned you can call your local ER and speak to an RN. If it seems more urgent, go to the ER. Hard to say... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Not enough info: Your description is a bit vague, but if you have minimal headache, no nausea or vomiting, and you can move your neck in all directions normally and wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Probably...: The scar will fade with time, months to a year or more depending on your skin tone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Many possibilities: How far post-op are you? How are you progressing in PT? Could be anything from benign muscle spasm of increased activity post-op to infection (unlikel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Yes: Any time a young woman has been sexually active and has a late period, pregnancy must be a consideration. Maybe take an EPT. Or see your doc. Good luc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
No assurances: If you are looking for assurance she isn't pregnant, you aren't going to get it here—though it's unlikely with just one "five minute" encounter. You m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Probably ok: Head pain of this sort is rarely anything to worry about unless recurrent or persistent over many days, assoc w/ nausea, vomiting, local redness or sw... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Inconsequential: Why did you get an MRI? Having symptoms? Normal tonsils can descend up to 5-6 mm. In most cases, it is more the appearance crowding at foramen magnum ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Ask your doctor: I'm assuming you saw a doctor and was diagnosed with a head injury. If so, ask him this question. If not, It depends on what sort of residual you have... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Herniated disk?: Could be a ruptured disk in neck, especially since you've had the same symptoms before, which is typical. Did u get ant treatment(Tx) then? Place to s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Vague question: Well, why? If you have a condition you think warrants it, discuss the situation w/ your doc & seek a referral to a center of expertise on the subj... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Yes: There are several potential causes of tethered cord and many of them have nothing to do with spina bifida. It can be sorted out with a good neurologic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Recovery: There will be a period of recovery, with or without rehab depending on how the pressure & surgery affected you. You might need any of various ther... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Ignore: What part of my spine—neck, chest, or lumbar—is most affected and most at risk of injury w/ a fall?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Doctorspeak: This is doctorspeak for normal findings on the MRI.
A flow void indicates there is blood flow. Lack of a flow void would be bad. This is normal.
Pro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Rare: True lambdoid synostosis is rare. Vast majority of cases are positional plagiocephaly and are treated well without surgery, often using helmet therapy... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Years: Neurosurgery training involves 4 yrs of college, 4 years of med school, 1 year of general surgery internship, & 6-7 years of residency. At that po... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Many possibilities: Many questions yet. How long has pain been present? Can you see the swelling or only sense it? Arm or hand weakness? Any discoloration? Trauma? Possib... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Concussion: Likely you have a mild concussion. Are the symptoms getting worse or improving? If getting worse, see your doctor. If improving, treat w/ tylenol (ace... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Watch your vision: Read this brief, informative, and free monograph for more information on vp shunts. It discusses symptoms of shunt failure as well.
http://wp.me/s382... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Indefinite: It seems that most children will need one or two revisions before the age of 18, but that is a very general statement. Many adults will go years witho... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Interesting quesiton: A broken neck may (it doesn't have to) crush the cord & instantly interfere w/ breathing & cause blood pressure to fall dangerously. Cause of ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
No special diet: You might find this monograph on hydrocephalus interesting. It's brief, informative, written for the lay person, and free.
http://wp.me/s382os-hydrol... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
No.: CSF is 98% water and contains nothing caustic or dangerous. CSF mixes into the bloodstream in surgery all the time. In fact, CSF circulates and is rea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
This is unusual: The vp shunt tubing should not hurt. In fact, you shouldn't be able to feel it at all (sometimes you can feel a ridge, but should not hurt). I would s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Read this monograph: This is a brief monograph that explains the various types of Chiari for the lay patient. Brief, informative, and FREE.
http://surgeonwriter.com/hydro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
No: Usually more a cosmetic problem. The brain will develop normally with metopic synostosis despite the skull deformity. However, the keel in the middle ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Post-surgical?: Is this the same pain as pre-op? Or is it a new pain? Sounds like either the operation wasn't totally successful or a new problem has cropped up. Eith... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Flank pain: Most problems give themselves away by the company they keep. If the pain has been there for months & is not worsening and no other symptoms, proba... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Acquired or congenit: There are both acquired and congenital forms of Chiari. In a 43 yo, it is likely acquired. The acquired form, almost always a Chiari I, may be caused ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Septum absent: The septum pellucid is a non nervous structure in the midline between the lateral ventricles of the brain. It's absence suggests a congenital birth de... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
I doubt it: I was a US Navy neurosurgeon for almost seven years. I seriously doubt you would be able to join the military with a vp shunt. The presence of a shunt... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Leg pain and weaknes: Spinal stenosis is generally a slowly progressive chronic condition associated with difficulty walking distances, standing for prolonged periods, and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Good question: If u are taking about a craniotomy where the skull was opened and put back, I'd suggest discussing it with your surgeon at your routine post-op visit.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old male asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Back or leg pain?: True L5 nerve compression causes leg pain, minimal back pain. Surgery is usually a poor choice for back pain (patients are disappointed w/ result) but... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Tough ??: Inflammation of the meninges is generally a result of (and not a cause of) CSF leak. In fact, some inflammation in the presence of a leak may help sea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Nothing 2 worry over: This is very common. Indicates a bit of wear and tear (we all get this). Many people have back pain and many people have disk degeneration—the two gro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Hard to say: Hard to say w/o feeling and seeing it. Could be the mastoid, a normal bump behind the earlobe. Might be you never noticed it before. If it's growing, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Unlikely: Unlikely, especially if U normal between bouts of symptoms. Syringomyelia generally does not cause severe pain in legs. More likely to cause numb in t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Possibly but unlikly: Very nonspecific symptoms, meaning they may or may not be related to Chiari. Depends on what the MRI actually looks like (how significant in terms of ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Vague ?? but no: What kind of surgery are you referring to? With many neurosurgical procedures, CSF leak is a risk, especially if the CSF space itself was entered as a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
For sex—now probably: Are you symptom free? I'd be very surprised if you couldn't return to sex now, especially since the coiling was elective apparently. Start slow & ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
It's not subtle: Hydrocephalus causes headaches, vision problems, sleepiness, etc.
Note: most headaches are NOT hydrocephalus.
Read the free monograph, Hydrocephal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Edison McDanielsanswered
Specializes in Neurosurgery
Probably ok: If you are not feeling sick, it is likely ok. In some folks, especially thin ones, the tubing might be visible as a ridge under the skin. If concerned... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
38
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. McDaniels is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. McDaniels is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you Dr. McDaniels for your response. I appreciate it so much!!
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! i feel pain more in right lower back and hip also groin
HealthTap member
Thanks. I also had the umbilical cord strangle me maybe its from that!
Education & Training
Residency
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL CENTER, FAIRVIEW
Completed 1996
Awards
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American Board of Neurological Surgery
American Association of Neurological Surgeons / Congress of Neurological Surgeons
American Association of Neurological Surgeons / Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Pediatric Neurological Surgery Section
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