SDR dangers?

Russell76

I'm a very concerned dad who has a 3 year old son with cerebral palsy. Is there any way of knowing how many of these SDR operations have gone badly wrong? 

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @Russell76 and welcome to the community, thanks for your query. I've moved it over into our Cerebral Palsy category so it's easier for our members to share their thoughts. 

Just so it's clear and SDR operation is "Selective dorsal rhizotomy"  is a spinal operation that can permanently reduce leg spasticity and encourage independent walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

As someone with CP myself, I was never offered an SDR operation, as I don't think it was being used when I was very young, and my CP may have been mild enough not to warrant it anyway. 

I'm not sure I can answer you question directly, but I can advise you to consult more than one specialist if you are concerned about the safety of this particular operation.

I can also tag @Richard_Scope who is our CP information Officer, and who might be able to advise you further

If you have any further questions in the meantime please do ask.

Alex

Richard_Scope

Hi @Russell76
Good to meet you.

Like any medical procedure, SDR can carry risks. It will not suit all children with CP. Some will benefit and some may see no benefit or their condition may even deteriorate. You should always discuss potential risks and side effects with your child's surgeon.

Permanent complications are rare, but risks include:

• temporary altered sensation although permanent numbness is rare
• constipation and urinary retention
• back pain
• weakness in the legs
• discouragement in the patient due to the length of therapy

SDR can highlight weaknesses elsewhere. For example, where muscles working alongside the spastic muscles have adapted to compensate for the increase in muscle tone.

Questions about SDR

You may want to ask your child's medical advisors the following questions:

• What does the procedure involve in detail?
• What are the benefits to my child and family as a whole?
• What is the likelihood of achieving those benefits?
• Could this procedure make things worse?
• What are the risks?
• Are there any alternatives?
• What care will my child need after the operation?
• What happens if something goes wrong? This could be important if you are having the surgery overseas.
• What may happen if my child does not have the procedure?

Your son would need to be assessed for his suitability for the procedure.