Who can benefit from SDR?
Selective dorsal rhizotomy is for children with cerebral palsy who have muscle tightness that interferes with movement. There are two groups of children who may benefit from SDR: • Spastic diplegics – These children can often walk a little bit by themselves. The surgery can help improve leg function, allowing for a smoother, more upright way of walking. • Severe spastic quadriparetics – These children have spacticity in their arms and legs, and have very limited ability to move. Following surgery they may be able to sit for longer periods of time and power an electric wheelchair. The reduced muscle tension can also make daily care easier for parents. The multi-disciplinary spine team at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center can perform an extensive evaluation to determine whether your child can benefit from SDR. How does SDR work? During the SDR procedure, a neurosurgeon cuts abnormal sensory nerve roots that carry messages from the leg muscles to the spinal cord. This allows the contra
