title: The Effects of Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy on Balance and Symmetry of Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cerebral palsy (CP) is associated with dysfunction of the upper motor neuron and results in balance problems and asymmetry during locomotion. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical procedure that results in reduced afferent neuromotor signals from the lower extremities with the aim of improving gait. Its influence on balance and symmetry has not been assessed. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the impact of SDR on balance and symmetry during walking.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 children (10 girls, 8 boys; age 6 years (y) 3 months (m), SD 1y 8m) with bilateral spastic CP and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to II underwent gait analysis before and 6 to 12 months after SDR. Results were compared to 11 typically developing children (TDC; 6 girls, 5 boys; age 6y 6m, SD 1y 11m). To analyse balance, sway velocity, radial displacement and frequency were calculated. Symmetry ratios were calculated for balance measures and spatio-temporal parameters during walking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most spatio-temporal parameters of gait, as well as all parameters of balance, improved significantly after SDR. Preoperative values of symmetry did not vary considerably between CP and TDC group and significant postoperative improvement did not occur.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduction of afferent signalling through SDR improves gait by reducing balance problems rather than enhancing movement symmetry.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and Neuroorthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery (CMSC), Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rumberg
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and Neuroorthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery (CMSC), Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Mustafa Sinan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bakir
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Section of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haberl
authors.affiliation: Social Paediatric Center, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Akosua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarpong
authors.affiliation: Julius Wolff Institute, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Ilya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sharankou
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and Neuroorthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery (CMSC), Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lebek
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and Neuroorthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery (CMSC), Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Funk
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D019051:Rhizotomy; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome