Two-Day Evaluation to Explore Your Child’s Surgical Options to Improve Mobility

Helps you find answers to whether surgery is a good option for your child. Although this streamlined approach is designed for families who don’t live in the Cincinnati area and don’t have access to expert cerebral palsy care close to home, it’s also available to local families.

Through the two-day mobility surgical evaluation, we’ll coordinate appointments for you with our team of nationally and internationally respected cerebral palsy experts, including specialists from our:

• Motion Analysis Lab
• Orthopaedic Cerebral Palsy Clinic
• Rehab Medicine Cerebral Palsy Clinic
• Surgical Spasticity Clinic

Our specialists will perform evaluations and review your child’s medical records and imaging studies. Then, together, we’ll create a recommended treatment plan that’s personalized to your child and their unique needs and goals.

Is the Two-Day Mobility Surgical Evaluation Right for My Child?

The two-day mobility surgical evaluation is for children with a cerebral palsy diagnosis who:

• Are between the ages of 2 and 18 years and:
  • Can walk, with or without assistance, but could potentially improve their walking abilities with surgery
  • No longer respond as well to therapies that initially helped their walking abilities
  • Don’t have access to promising surgical options close to home

What to Expect

Your two-day visit will include four components:

• Testing in our Motion Analysis Lab to identify the underlying causes of your child’s walking difficulties
• An evaluation in our Surgical Spasticity Clinic by a neurosurgeon, physical therapist, and rehabilitation doctor, who will examine your child and determine if they could benefit from surgery to reduce muscle spasticity
• An assessment in our Orthopaedic Cerebral Palsy Clinic by an orthopaedic surgeon, who may order additional imaging studies
• A comprehensive review and recommended treatment plan from the entire team

Surgical Recommendations

If our team recommends surgery, the options may include:

• Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)
• A baclofen pump
• An orthopaedic surgery, such as tendon lengthening, tendon transfer, or functional electrical stimulation

We’ll discuss your child’s surgical options with you in detail, as well as next steps if you’re interested in having the surgery at Cincinnati Children’s.

Nonsurgical Recommendations

If our team recommends delaying surgery or not having surgery at all, we’ll provide you with comprehensive, nonsurgical treatment recommendations. These may include changing your child’s medications or their physical therapy or occupational therapy regimen, for example.

In addition to sharing our treatment recommendations with you, we’ll share them with your child’s pediatrician and local care team. We’ll also serve as a resource to them as needed. And we’ll provide you with our team’s contact information in case you have additional questions in the future or want to return to Cincinnati Children’s for follow-up care.

Meet the Cerebral Palsy Surgery Evaluation Coordinator

Our dedicated program coordinator, Liz Downing, will provide the information and resources you need every step of the way—before, during, and after your child’s evaluation.

Read Liz’s answers to our most frequent questions about the two-day mobility surgical evaluation:

Q: What happens before the evaluation?

A: I coordinate all the appointments and provide the schedule for families in advance. I also work with the rest of the team to collect any testing or imaging results from other providers. A financial coordinator may reach out to you for insurance information before the visit.

We encourage you to bring a list of questions with you to the evaluation to make sure you don’t forget anything important. If your child uses assistive devices, we’ll let you know which ones to bring.

Q: Can you help us find a place to stay and things to do while in Cincinnati?

A: Yes. We can connect you with several hotels at a discounted rate around and near the medical center. We offer free and discounted tickets to many attractions around Cincinnati, as well, such as the top-rated Cincinnati Zoo and other fun experiences. Our concierge service can provide additional help, including information about travel arrangements and car rentals. Together, we’ll help make your visit as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

Q: What should families expect when they arrive at Cincinnati Children’s?

A: I’ll be there to greet you when you arrive at the medical center each day, and I’ll be there to guide you to your appointments. We’ll also have lunch together on the first day. Cincinnati Children’s is a big place, but most families find that it’s friendly and easy to navigate. I’ll give you my cell phone number just in case you need help or have questions during your visit.

Q: What happens after the evaluation?

A: Toward the end of the evaluation, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan for your child. This may include surgery, medication changes, or a new physical therapy or occupational therapy regimen. My role after the visit is to make sure you’re connected with the providers your child needs for the next steps in their care journey. Also, rest assured that I’m always available to answer questions and help in any way I can.