What is dorsal rhizotomy?

Also known as: selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery, SDR surgery.

A dorsal rhizotomy or selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgical procedure in which the neurosurgeon divides the dorsal roots (those nerves that transmit sensation from the muscles to the spinal cord) that lie in the spinal canal. This results in a better balance of activities of the nerve cells in the spinal cord, reducing spasticity, decreasing leg pain, improving sitting balance, and making walking easier (in selected children with cerebral palsy).

This procedure can help patients who walk using assistive devices to improve their walking ability. It can also be considered for other patients who have significant pain related to their spasticity as a “palliative” option.

Patients often need intensive rehabilitation after the surgery to achieve the best outcomes.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM