Expert Surgical Care for Patients with Spasticity

Helps families explore surgical solutions for their child’s spasticity and dystonia.

Our experienced, multidisciplinary team includes a neurosurgeon, rehabilitation doctor, and physical therapist. Together, we’ve treated hundreds of children and young adults with spasticity—including those who have been told elsewhere that they’re too young or too old for spasticity surgery.

Our clinic is part of one of the largest, most comprehensive neurosurgery programs in the United States. Year after year, in fact, U.S. News & World Report ranks our services as among the best in the nation.

What to Expect

Before your child’s visit, our team will thoroughly review your child’s medical records and imaging studies, and begin planning possible treatment options.

During your visit, we’ll perform an assessment, evaluating your child’s:

• Coordination and control of active movements
• Gait pattern
• Muscle tone
• Range of motion
• Reflexes and strength

We’ll also discuss your child’s cerebral palsy therapy and medication history with you, explain their surgical options, and recommend a treatment plan to provide your child with the best quality of life. This plan may include:

• A gait analysis in our Motion Analysis Lab to further evaluate your child’s:
  • Joint tightness
  • Spasticity
  • Weakness
• Additional tests
• Implantation of a baclofen pump
• Selective dorsal rhizotomy(SDR)

The plan may also include nonsurgical therapies to help improve muscle tone and function so that surgery isn’t necessary or to help your child better respond to surgery in the future. These nonsurgical therapies may include:

• Leg bracing
• Oral or injectable medications
• Physical therapy exercises