SDR Patient Views

My son’s body was immediately less tense. He went from only being able to walk with a walker to walking independently in all environments within one year. Prior to surgery he could take some haphazard independent steps on his very high tiptoes. He could put heals to the ground when standing still with support but as some as he went to move, the spasticity would kick in. This was no longer an issue after surgery. The below video was taken 1 year after surgery. He also began making short sentences for the first time while lying down at the hospital. It was as though he had more breath to speak. Prior to this he could only say a handful of single unclear words. He has in the 3 years since SDR become fully verbal. His overall happiness has greatly improved.

SDR reduced Hannahs spasticity so much so that she is able to sit cross legged, she can undress herself, and climb into the bath. She was unable to move her limbs esp. her legs so easily before. We have managed to come off Baclofen as well, she sleeps better also.

I think it was a game changer for her.

I didn’t realize the benefits of SDR would come so late. It is 6 months post op and we are seeing more rapid gains now. I felt like based on what providers said, what I had seen online, I thought my son would be walking “perfectly” afterward. It has drastically improved his spasticity, Improved his gait, body awareness, ability to walk more with a flat foot (not completely, but making progress). Recovery and therapy after were tough, but he did it. Any younger and he would’ve likely struggled bc he has a very low patience threshold, sensory sensitivities and a bit behind emotionally (we did it at age 6). I’m glad we did it, but knowing that rehab would be long and ongoing and having more realistic goals would’ve helped

Sdr has completely changed our daughter's life. It's reduced her spasticity to almost nothing and has given her more range of motion and flexibility that was not possible before surgery. Before SDR she walked a few steps independently and now 16 months later she is walking independently inside and on even surfaces outside.

SDR Surgery allowed Sienna to sit outside of the classic W position, as well as improving her core strength and using her walker for longer periods of time. The rehabilitation programme after was hard.

SDR definitely changes lives. Sofia was a walker before SDR so we quite apprehensive to go ahead with surgery as so many professionals told us not too. We are currently only 9 months post surgery but so far Sofias balance has improved, her stamina is better, her walking pattern is better. Before surgery she could not run and now she is able to, her muscles are getting stronger all the time and she recently managed to do a small hop. The surgery is however just the starting point I firmly believe the results come from the hard work Im therapy afterwards.

We did SDR in St Louis March 2022 and are very happy with the outcome. Such a relief that spasticity is gone. She is more free in her movements now. We do a lot of PT and her strength is improving and endurance is much better. She can now get dressed by herself and she sleeps much better. Only less positive thing is she still walks on her toes sometimes and with bended knees.

It was life changing. He went from not being able to walk independently, to taking more steps then ever before in less than a month. He’s had two surgeries since then and they have all contributed to his success. He would not be independent today without SDR. He walks, runs and jumps. He plays on a baseball League and loves riding his scooter!

Life Changing! Has Opened up a world of possibility to improving life function related to achieving greater independence. Pain level has gone way down. Spasticity does not exist. Able to wear her AFOs without pain and without her body unwantingly pulling her foot up out of brace while they are on because of her high tone.

Best decision thus far in her journey of living with Cerebral Palsy!

Surgery and inpatient rehab completed at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

SDR as an adult significantly reduced my spasticity. I had SDR at age 40 though I was I had known it was an option as a child. There is a significant amount of rehab after SDR and it is not a cure. The reduction is spasticity improved my gait and freedom of movement. I was feeling tighter and tighter as I aged. My ability to activate muscles with reduced spasticity has improved and I am much more comfortable. I have some permanent loss of sensation in my feet but it is a small price to pay for the reduced spasticity.