Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR)?
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There is plenty of information available on the internet regarding SDR and we have added a few links to useful sites below, for you to access detailed information about the procedure itself and the rehabilitation process.
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There is plenty of information available on the internet regarding SDR and we have added a few links to useful sites below, for you to access detailed information about the procedure itself and the rehabilitation process.
- www.gosh.nhs.uk/medical-information/procedures-and-treatments/selective-dorsal-rhizotomy/
- www.scope.org.uk/support/families/therapies/sdr
- www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cerebral-palsy/Pages/Treatment.aspx
The aim of selective dorsal rhizotomy is to ease muscle spasticity and improve motor function and mobility in people with cerebral palsy. Over recent years SDR has become a much more popular treatment choice and there are now several specialist centres in the UK offering the procedure although many children still travel to the USA for surgery.
SDR involves cutting nerves in the lower spine that are responsible for muscle rigidity. During surgery the spinal cord is exposed and the specific sensory nerve fibres which are responsible for spasticity are cut. The motor nerve roots remain intact so underlying muscle activity and strength is preserved.
Physiotherapy is an essential part of the rehab and aftercare following surgery to ensure the child gain maximum benefit from the procedure and the best possible outcome in terms of improved motor function as well as the other benefits that have been reported such as reduced need for orthopaedic surgery etc. If your child is under NHS care, the local physiotherapy service will provide as much of this as possible but the intensity of rehabilitation involved over a considerable period of time (at least the first year) will often mean that families have to supplement NHS therapy with additional private input.
The Banana Tree Practice can help provide this additional input for your child. The aim of physiotherapy input is to build up the muscle strength in the weak muscles, re-educate movement and gait patterns, restore muscle balance, improve stamina, gain/maintain muscle length and improve posture.
We are happy to work alongside your NHS therapist to ensure that your child benefits from a coordinated treatment plan and that we are working towards the same goals. The Banana Tree Practice is able to offer appointments at home, at school or in our clinic ( clinic appts Saturday only at present). We have also been known to conduct our therapy sessions in soft play centres and at the park! Physiotherapy will be a big part of your child's life for the months following surgery and making it as fun as possible and using a variety of methods to strengthen muscles in a functional way is extremely important. This also makes it easier for you as a parent, to translate therapy ideas into everyday life and to 'sneak' in some extra physio between sessions….you will become very inventive!
SDR involves cutting nerves in the lower spine that are responsible for muscle rigidity. During surgery the spinal cord is exposed and the specific sensory nerve fibres which are responsible for spasticity are cut. The motor nerve roots remain intact so underlying muscle activity and strength is preserved.
Physiotherapy is an essential part of the rehab and aftercare following surgery to ensure the child gain maximum benefit from the procedure and the best possible outcome in terms of improved motor function as well as the other benefits that have been reported such as reduced need for orthopaedic surgery etc. If your child is under NHS care, the local physiotherapy service will provide as much of this as possible but the intensity of rehabilitation involved over a considerable period of time (at least the first year) will often mean that families have to supplement NHS therapy with additional private input.
The Banana Tree Practice can help provide this additional input for your child. The aim of physiotherapy input is to build up the muscle strength in the weak muscles, re-educate movement and gait patterns, restore muscle balance, improve stamina, gain/maintain muscle length and improve posture.
We are happy to work alongside your NHS therapist to ensure that your child benefits from a coordinated treatment plan and that we are working towards the same goals. The Banana Tree Practice is able to offer appointments at home, at school or in our clinic ( clinic appts Saturday only at present). We have also been known to conduct our therapy sessions in soft play centres and at the park! Physiotherapy will be a big part of your child's life for the months following surgery and making it as fun as possible and using a variety of methods to strengthen muscles in a functional way is extremely important. This also makes it easier for you as a parent, to translate therapy ideas into everyday life and to 'sneak' in some extra physio between sessions….you will become very inventive!
If you would like to have a chat about the services we can offer following SDR, please contact us, we'd love to hear from you.
