Our daughter is 3yrs old and has mild spastic diplegia mainly effecting her legs and hips. She is due to have surgery on the 14th February to have her abductor muscles released in between her legs and also having osteotomy's in both hips. We would like to hear from anybody who has been through the surgery and what we are to expect with recovery and post op care eg: feeding, bathing transporting etc.

Immediately after post-op was the worst part, but she did well afterwards. A wagon with pillows works well for moving in the cast. The biggest trouble I had with it was the surgery didn't do much for her. After the cast was removed her legs slowly went back to the way they were anyway, and all that we went through was for naught.

My son had adductor surgery (as well as hamstring lenthening and achilles tendon release) in Nov. 2000. While he was able to walk before...now, he still isn't able to stand. **DEMAND a prescription for Valium for muscle spasms post-op... and keep some for after the casts come off!! Spasms, jerking, and cramping will begin after casts come off.. this is something the Dr.'s won't warn you about. Also, the scars are TERRIBLE! He isn't able to wear brief style underwear because the scars start to ooze from the friction of the underwear.
Please know that there are risks to these surgeries that Dr.'s aren't telling us. I pray my son (at least) regains what he had before surgery...In other words, we were better off where we began opposed to where we ended up! Proceed with caution, and best of luck..Let us know how it goes. :-)

Truth be told I feel the same way. My daughter was better off before the surgery than after. She never walked, but could combat crawl on her elbows with her legs straight out behind her. After the cast came off her legs curled up and she goes sort of side-saddle now. After a while her back began to curve, and even though they say the surgery didn't cause the scoleosis, it was unnoticeable beforehand, and now it's a major problem.

My daughter had abductor surgery on her left leg. She couldn't walk or crawl anyway, but was quite happy in her cast. The main problem was when the cast was removed she was very uncomfortable with spasms and stiffness for a while. She is Ok now but still seems to get the odd twinge in her hip. She can't tell us how she feels, so we have to guess, but she seems to be happy.

Carolyn B,

hi. am an adult with CP that has had the same thing done as a child, and though i dont remember it, i just wanted to say, i am doing perfectly fine http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif