Dorsal Rhyzodimy for patiens with Cerebral Palsy

Hi, my son had a dorsal rhizotomy in 1993 at the age of three. He was born at 26.5 weeks' gestation because I had severe toxemia and they couldn't control my blood pressure. He was a tiny thing, weighed a bit under a pound and a half. He was and is a fighter, though. When he was about a year old he was diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. A shock indeed, but holding him that day, I just loved him all the more and resolved to do what I could with him. He had hernia repair surgery in the NICU, and bilateral osteotomies on both ankles also at the age of 3 - they cut through the calf bones to rotate the feet outwards - the little he could walk by that time, my son tripped over his own feet, they were intoed so much. The surgery corrected the intoing but he was still very stiff in his lower extremeties. As you all have said, it is so scary and painful. 1993 was a pretty rough year. That Rhizotomy made an enormous difference in my DS, though. Without it, he'd probably be in a wheelchair now. Instead he is ambulatory with minor balance issues and scoliosis for which he will get surgery this summer. He had the hamstring lengthening surgery done when he was 6 or 7. He is 17 now, has always been mainstreamed, and has been very fortunate in the friends he's had and the public schools he's attended. His main doctors have been Dr. Saunder Bernes, neurologist, and Dr. Stephen Milliner, orthopedic surgeon. They are the best, and Philip shows it. Like others in his situation, he's had years of therapy and lots of other doctors. Now though, he is in high school and doing great. Yes, Rhizotomy is a very frightening concept. It also results in amazing change. Best wishes go out to all of you, and to all parents of special-needs children, and the teachers, counselers, therapists, family members, and friends who keep them going!

Congratulations, I am so happy that your son is doing so well!! My son 12, has same diagnosis. We chose the Baclofen pump because we had an extensive testing for Rhyzodimy and they were afraid he would not be able to stand afterward. We did he botoxshots also, without much progress. I did not like that procedure at all. They did not evennumb his legs before all the shots. I hope your son keeps improving and does well as he grows. My son used to walk all the time with the walker, but is now only doing short distances due to his legs growing with contractures. My son is basically nonverbal, he started saying a few things since he iplant of the pump, but you must know what he is saying before he says it or you don't understand it. Good luck with everything. Would love to talk with you sometime.