Good mornig.. We just found out on Thursday that my DS will need surgery. The name of the surgery is Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. Has anyone had their child go through this? Any help with this would be great!! Thanks
I'm a little concerned when you say your DS will "need" this surgery. Is that the way the nuerologist presented this to you? Surgery should be presented as an option, even a recommendation, but not a necessity. Remember that you are the parent, and that gives you the final word on what interventions your child will undergo. SDR is a non-reversible surgery. It can have good benefit for the child, but you should be sure that you are well-educated on the risks and benefits. Results vary based on the individual child, in my experience. How old is your DS? How much do his impairments affect his functional skills? How motivated is he, and you, to comply with rigorous therapy and home programming after surgery?
I'm not trying to scare you (re-reading this, it sounds a little like a warning), but I always advise parents to look into the least invasive approach first. When less invasive interventions do not help your child meet his goals, surgery can be a beneficial option. But please make sure you are informed. It is your child's physician who is responsible for educating you, and if you have questions and concerns, you need answers before you can make a choice about this surgery. You might even want to seek a second opinion, just so you can compare options available to you.
Did the doctor at least explain the concept of the surgery? Nerves are isolated in the spinal cord, tested to see which ones are over-active (meaning when stimulated, they cause an overreaction in the corresponding muscle), and those are cut. The surgery can have benefit, but it is certainly not a "cure." Results will be better with dedication to routine physical therapy and commitment to a home program.
Re: Rhizotomy???
I'm a little concerned when you say your DS will "need" this surgery. Is that the way the nuerologist presented this to you? Surgery should be presented as an option, even a recommendation, but not a necessity. Remember that you are the parent, and that gives you the final word on what interventions your child will undergo. SDR is a non-reversible surgery. It can have good benefit for the child, but you should be sure that you are well-educated on the risks and benefits. Results vary based on the individual child, in my experience. How old is your DS? How much do his impairments affect his functional skills? How motivated is he, and you, to comply with rigorous therapy and home programming after surgery?
I'm not trying to scare you (re-reading this, it sounds a little like a warning), but I always advise parents to look into the least invasive approach first. When less invasive interventions do not help your child meet his goals, surgery can be a beneficial option. But please make sure you are informed. It is your child's physician who is responsible for educating you, and if you have questions and concerns, you need answers before you can make a choice about this surgery. You might even want to seek a second opinion, just so you can compare options available to you.
Did the doctor at least explain the concept of the surgery? Nerves are isolated in the spinal cord, tested to see which ones are over-active (meaning when stimulated, they cause an overreaction in the corresponding muscle), and those are cut. The surgery can have benefit, but it is certainly not a "cure." Results will be better with dedication to routine physical therapy and commitment to a home program.
Good luck to you with this decision.