With selective dorsal rhizotomy, the neurosurgeon cuts the spinal nerve roots to stop severe muscle spasms. Goals of the surgery include improving the child’s function and independence, improving pain, and preventing or decreasing spasm and orthopedic deformities.
An MRI helps the surgeon locate the bottom of the spinal cord. The procedure is multidisciplinary, involving the pediatric neurosurgeon who performs the surgery and the pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, who monitors and observes responses to stimulation.