SDR Therapy

We are proud to offer specialist SDR therapy for children with cerebral palsy. At TCT we can offer both pre-hab and re-hab SDR therapy supporting families both before and after their surgery.

Our SDR Therapy team are highly specialist paediatric physiotherapists all of whom have extensive experience in working with a range of children who have cerebral palsy. We concentrate on developing high-quality movement patterns as children work through their strength and conditioning programmes.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is an operation used to reduce spasticity (muscle stiffness) in cerebral palsy. The surgery is a big commitment for all those involved, so we will ensure therapy sessions are as enjoyable as possible for children while providing support to other family members during this intense time.

We work closely with families to come up with a therapy plan that works best for each child, based on a family’s resources, needs and unique circumstances.

Prehabilitation

Prehabilitation works well for many reasons some of which include:

Helping to support and prepare the child and their family physically, mentally and emotionally for surgery.
It starts to prepare the child and family for the intensity of input required post-operatively.
It builds relationships prior to surgery, seeing the team are one less 'unknown' post-op.
It allows the physio(s) to understand a child's likes /dislikes, personality and thresholds.
The physio(s) can see the physical profile of the child pre-operatively which is then very helpful for working together following surgery.

Rehabilitation

We work hard to include as many positive factors as possible to provide a supportive and encouraging rehabilitation process.

Our SDR rehabilitation service offers:

Timings to suit busy family lives.
Flexibility in appointment locations.
Fun sessions based around play.
Strength and repetition at the heart of input while remaining mindful of establishing good patterns of movement.
Excellent communication with other healthcare professionals and the family.
Continuity of therapists to build rapport with children and the family.
Plentiful ideas plus a wide range of specialist resources and equipment to prevent boredom during sessions.
The ability to film sessions to monitor progress and share with the wider medical team involved.

Tailormade

All SDR treatment is bespoke. We liaise both with families and the wider medical team to provide a personalised therapy programme.

We understand good communication is key to a productive and supportive relationship. The team is confident working with the often complex needs of children undergoing SDR surgery and those who support them.

Core to our SDR service is getting to know a family and including them throughout the rehabilitation journey.

Flexibility

Choose from an intensive block of therapy or regular sessions spaced accordingly to suit your family’s needs.

After school, early evening and weekend appointments are available throughout the year.

Along with sessions held at our clinic, school, nursery and home visits are available within the locality.

We like to liaise/visit/keep in touch with the children during their hospital stay depending on where they have surgery.

Block therapy

We can offer regular sessions (e.g. six days a week) and also intensive blocks of therapy.

This works well if we are pushing hard towards a specific goal, if things have plateaued, or if working on something new/ with new equipment.

This is an option that can suit families visiting from outside the area.

Those needing accommodation during an intensive block of therapy can find a good selection of options here.

Continuity

Two key physios are always involved with each SDR case, one takes the lead while the other supports.

This enables us to offer continuity to families (covering for annual leave, sickness etc).

It also allows for some doubling up during sessions. Families find that it is another way to foster variety during pre-hab and re-hab therapy.

Our SDR Service

Useful Links

Below are hospitals offering SDR surgery or organisations providing information and support.

Click on the logo to visit their website.

NHS England Selective
Dorsal Rhizotomy
(SDR) for the
treatment of spasticity
in Cerebral Palsy

we are
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR)

APCP - The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists

Center for Cerebral Palsy Spasticity, St Louis Children’s Hospital