Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR)

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde offers a surgical treatment called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) to patients across Scotland and can consider referrals from further afield.

SDR is an operation used to reduce spasticity in the legs of some children with cerebral palsy. Spasticity is described as a velocity dependent increase in the stiffness of muscles. The aim of this operation is to reduce the stiffness in the leg muscles. 

After the operation there is a planned inpatient stay and then up to two years of physiotherapy with local physiotherapy teams.

There are a limited number of children and young people with cerebral palsy who will benefit from this type of surgery and careful selection criteria exist. Referrals should be made by the child’s local team in the community for full assessment and consideration of all the options available to improve life outcomes for these children and young people. More information can be found on the Right Decision Service SDR site.