We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
7 months ago, Mommy started some reading and research on a surgery called SDR that seemed to keep popping up on different CP websites, Facebook groups and CP blogs. It caught Mommy’s eye because it seemed to be best received by children displaying similar challenges as Madison and was most successful with children who have CP-Spastic Diaplegia, which is the same diagnosis as Madison. SDR stands for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy.
SDR involves sectioning (cutting) of some of the sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord.
Two groups of nerve roots leave the spinal cord and lie in the spinal canal. The ventral spinal roots send information to the muscle; the dorsal spinal roots transmit sensation from the muscle to the spinal cord.
At the time of the operation, the neurosurgeon divides each of the dorsal roots into 3-5 rootlets and stimulates each rootlet electrically. By examining electromyographic (EMG) responses from muscles in the lower extremities, the surgical team identifies the rootlets that cause spasticity. The abnormal rootlets are selectively cut, leaving the normal rootlets intact. This reduces messages from the muscle, resulting in a better balance of activities of nerve cells in the spinal cord, and thus reduces spasticity.
In the spring of 2016, Madison started displaying increased spasticity, her gait became more crouched and some deformities in her feet/toes started to show. Although she was always showing progression and excellent response to her various therapies, Mommy and Daddy were aware of the changes and had always been looking for other opportunities of how to help Madison and provide her with the best quality of life possible.
Dr. Park has given Madison an amazing gift.
After months of research, seeking help from other families walking the same path, appointments, x-rays, video analysis and application forms…Madison has a special message to share with everyone.
Please check back and follow us daily to see how you can help support Madison in her journey to St. Louis. Madison will have a Go Fund Me page that will be launched soon and various fundraising events…stay tuned!
Madi Moves 