title: Selective dorsal rhizotomy versus orthopedic surgery: a multidimensional assessment of outcome efficacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and orthopedic surgery using multidimensional (National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research disablement framework) outcome measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective outcome study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pediatric orthopedic hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five children with spastic diplegia. Eighteen participants (mean age, 71.3 mo) chose SDR. Seven participants (mean age, 78.6 mo) chose orthopedic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children were evaluated 2 days before surgical intervention and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postsurgically.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Gross Motor Performance Measure, the Gross Motor Function Measure, and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SDR group improved significantly in quality of movement attributes 6 months postsurgically; however, gross motor skills (standing; walking, running, and jumping) gains were seen 2 years postsurgically. The orthopedic group improved significantly in select quality of movement attributes 6 months postsurgically and in standing skills within the first postsurgical year. Self-care skills, mobility, and social function gains were seen earlier and with greater frequency in the SDR group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both surgical interventions demonstrated multidimensional benefits for ambulatory children with spastic diplegia. The results suggest that qualitative changes in movement, achieved by spasticity reduction, have a greater effect on the enhancement of functional skill proficiency, thus independence, than recognized.
authors.affiliation: Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR, USA. ceb@shcc.org
authors.forename: Cathleen E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Buckon
authors.forename: Susan Sienko
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Joseph H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Piatt
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Aiona
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Sussman
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019051:Rhizotomy; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery*