Who would be helped by a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy?
Your child may be helped if he has • No or mild spasticity in the arms. • Moderate to severe spasticity in the legs. • Spasticity which makes diaper changing, bathing, and sleeping harder to do. • Good leg strength. • Enough tone in the neck and trunk. • Ability to do the extra physical therapy after surgery. Before Surgery To prepare, your child will have a work-up. This includes a review of her health, physical exam, and blood tests. You will talk with the Anesthesia and Admissions staffs. You will need to sign a consent form that states that you know the risks and reasons for the surgery. The night before and the morning of surgery, your child will need to wash her back with an antibacterial soap. You will receive this soap during your clinic visit. Your child may not eat or drink after midnight the night before. During Surgery A cut is made in your child’s lower back. The back part of the spinal bone is removed to allow access to the dorsal nerve roots. The surgeon will divide thes
