Dorsal Rhizotomy

Welcome to the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center web page on dorsal rhizotomy. We know you want the best for your child, and so do we. The MCG Children's Medical Center specializes in family-centered care, and your input is always value and appreciated. As the parent of a special-needs child, you have lots of experience in helping your child face the challenges of each new day. One way to maximize your child's potential and quality of life is a surgical procedure called dorsal rhizotomy.


What is Dorsal Rhizotomy?
Dorsal rhizotomy, which reduces spasticity associated with cerebral palsy, has been performed in the United States since 1985 and was performed for the first time in Georgia in 1987 at the MCG Children's Medical Center.

Children who have difficulty walking because of spasticity, stiffness and excess leg tone may benefit greatly from the procedure, particularly if they can comply with therapy. This surgery often enables children to walk with little or no assistance.

Children with severe arm and leg disability also benefit from dorsal rhizotomy. After surgery, their legs are less stiff, they can be positioned more easily in a wheelchair and they can be easily positioned for bathing or grooming.

Dorsal rhizotomy seems to most greatly benefit children age 4 to 7. Younger children may still be developing skills and abilities and have difficulty complying with rigorous therapy. Although the surgery may have limited effectiveness for children over age 7 because of possible spasticity-related bone and joint deformities, dorsal rhizotomy may be performed along with other surgeries or interventions. 

Is Therapy Necessary After Surgery?
By removing abnormal nerve muscle circuits, dorsal rhizotomy makes your child less spastic. Most children with cerebral palsy have used the spasticity to help them do many things. Now, they must learn new patterns of muscle use and activity. Without postoperative therapy, your child will remain weak and will be able to do even less than before surgery. Daily physical and occupational therapy continues after discharge, every day for the first six to eight weeks and two to three times a week thereafter.  A home program is an essential part of this therapy.

Many centers have six weeks of intensive inpatient therapy after surgery. At the MCG Children's Medical Center, we have found that outpatient therapy, supplemented with therapy at home, maximizes our patients' results. Remember: Without that therapy, surgery will not have all the benefits you hope for. Your child will be weak for about three to six months. Children who could walk before will walk weakly at first but will build strength with therapy. Within six months to a year, they will be able to do more than they could before surgery.
 
Does Dorsal Rhizotomy Really Work?
Dorsal rhizotomy is now performed throughout the world. Recently published results of patients who had the procedure many years ago show that improvement continues and that almost all children and parents felt the operation was beneficial.

The Cerebral Palsy Evaluation and Treatment Team at the MCG Children's Medical Center has had similar positive results. After the initial weakness, most children have a slow but steady improvement in leg function. Dorsal rhizotomy is not a cure for cerebral palsy, but it helps children with the disease maximize their abilities.

A Team Approach
If we determine that your child is a candidate for dorsal rhizotomy, be assured that our commitment to their well-being extends far beyond the surgery itself. Our team including pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedists, pediatric medicine and rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers and nursescombine their talents to offer second-to-none care for your child.

Nothing But the Best
You can be sure your child will receive the best care available anywhere at the MCG Children's Medical Center. Our team looks forward to working with you to maximize your child's potential.

For more information, contact Pediatric Neurosurgery at (706) 721-5568

Questions and Comments to Bill Hamilton 

 June 06, 2005

Department of Neurosurgery  |  Medical College of Georgia