4MyChild: Help and Hope for Life

December 1, 2006

Cerebral Palsy Spasticity - Explaining Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Surgery (DSR)

Much scrutinized and one of the more successful means of treating spastic cerebral palsy is the SDR (selective doral rhizotomy) procedure.

SDR involves sectioning (cutting) of some of the sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgical procedure performed to reduce leg muscle stiffness and spasticity in children who have cerebral palsy. Reduced spasticity can mean improved movement and ability to walk for some children. It may also help children confined to a wheelchair be able to sit for longer period more comfortably better able to maneuver their wheelchair. It can also help with increased movement in hands. For some kids they will be able to breathe more easily.

The surgery is usually performed when children are between the ages of 3 and 10.

One of the most comprehensive and complete explaining about the procedure can be found on the St. Louis Childrens’ Hospital. If you are interested in reading more about SDR please visit their web site, http://stlouischildrens.org/tabid/96/itemid/1540/About-Selective-Dorsal-Rhizotomy.aspx