A 6-year-old girl with cerebral palsy has selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery performed. The patient was born early and with a low birth weight, and he suffered periventricular cerebral white matter damage. Dorsal rootlets of lumbosacral spinal nerves are selectively cut during the surgery, as seen in the figure below: Which of the following is the most likely effect of this intervention in this patient's lower extremities?

Question

A 6-year-old girl with cerebral palsy has selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery performed. The patient was born early and with a low birth weight, and he suffered periventricular cerebral white matter damage. Dorsal rootlets of lumbosacral spinal nerves are selectively cut during the surgery, as seen in the figure below:  Which of the following is the most likely effect of this intervention in this patient's lower extremities?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Spasticity is induced by a lack of descending inhibitory impulses from higher motor neurons, which results in a hyperactive stretch reflex and increased muscle tone. Afferent (sensory) arm of the stretch reflex can be disrupted using a selective dorsal rhizotomy to relieve stiffness without inducing paralysis.

A 6-Year-Old Girl with Cerebral Palsy Has Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy