Sunday, July 31, 2011

Joseph and Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy


Joseph is seven years old and has Hydrocephalus and Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy, and he recently travelled to St Louis for a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. His Mom, Stella, says that they decided to go ahead with the surgery because she knew it would be life changing, and even though they are only a few days post-op, there are already noticeable changes in Joseph's physical abilities. Here is what Stella has to say:

Please share some of the changes (good and bad) you saw in your child:
We are only a few days post op, but if I had to do it all over again I would. Muscles are no longer tight, stretching is pain free and easy. Before surgery, stretching was limiting and painful. He is starting to make movements that he could not do before surgery. The road is not easy but worth it.
Would you recommend it to someone in a similar situation?
most definitely
What do you wish you had known when you were making the decision to try it out?
It was everything that I expected and more
Please share some of the details of your experiences, past or present.
We have tried botox, baclofen, going to other doctors and more doctors for another opinion and finally resulted in SDR. They believe Joseph will walk independently. But it requires work on our part and his making sure he is stretched but to see him walk for the first time it will be worth it all.

Stella, we hope that you will update us on Joseph's progress! 

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