When is the best time for surgery for cerebral palsy patients?

  FSPR surgery, also known as selective posterior spinal nerve rhizotomy, is a procedure to release the spasticity of muscles and reduce muscle tone, which is very effective for pediatric spastic cerebral palsy. However, the timing of the surgery is critical and directly affects the postoperative rehabilitation effect.  The timing of FSPR surgery should still be chosen as early as possible, early after surgery, in order to maximize the recovery of rehabilitated patients, and mild to moderate patients can basically return to normal.  The best time to perform surgery is when the limb spasticity is stable and at the same time no obvious joint deformity occurs, when the motor function can generally be completely improved by one surgery, and the best age to choose for FSPR surgery is between 3 and 8 weeks old.  Since the type of cerebral palsy in patients under 3 weeks of age is unstable, and also the surgeon will leave enough time for the patient and family to rehabilitate and improve the symptoms.  In addition, children under 3 weeks of age are less able to bear the trauma of surgery. If the best time for surgery is missed, joint deformity may occur due to long-term muscle spasm causing delayed muscle development. The child will then need to undergo second stage orthopedic surgery.  Of course, the treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy is a comprehensive treatment and the importance of one modality should not be emphasized. Good surgical results also require professional rehabilitation for six months to one year after surgery to consolidate.