Overview
- On Wednesday Joel publicly confirmed he had a shunt implanted to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus and said the surgery improved his memory, balance and ability to function.
- He was diagnosed with NPH in May 2025 after a period of balance problems that included a fall onstage in February 2025, and he canceled remaining tour dates at that time.
- Joel said his neurologists warned that playing loud rock concerts was causing concussion-like damage to his brain nerves and advised him to stop performing while he recovers.
- He is following medical guidance by doing physical therapy and avoiding stress, and he emphasized to fans that he is 'OK' though no timeline exists for returning to full concerts.
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid presses on the brain, and a shunt drains that fluid to relieve pressure, a treatment that can improve gait and thinking but often requires ongoing rehab and activity limits.