Gastroc and Hamstring Surgery for Mild CP - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

Pinkmom · 07-30-2006, 07:36 AM

My daughter, who is 13, is scheduled for surgery at Dupont Hospital in 3 weeks for gastroc and hamstring lengthening. We are very nervous about the surgery. We are very fortunate that our daughter has a very very mild case of CP which has affected her left side. So mild... that it is almost unnoticeable. I am having a difficult time finding support/info on cases like hers. Most of her problem is her left foot. Her foot is 1 size smaller in length and turns in slightly. Her tightness is in her calf and foot although she has a fair amount of control. We just learned that her leg is about 1/4" shorter than the right. She is very active and her gait is ever so slightly irregular. She plays basketball, baseball etc. The doctor claims that this procedure will give her that extra range that she needs as well as help correct the curvature in her foot. We are concerned that she will develop a more uncomfortable walk. We are concerned that this surgery will make things worse. Looking forward to hearing from someone. Thx!

jomeja · 07-30-2006, 09:02 AM

Hello Pinkmom,

Our daughter is 11 now, when she was about 4 she had the hamstring surgery. It was a fairly easy surgery compared to most that she has had. Our daughter is completely non mobile, but she is able to take a few steps in her walker etc. The one thing I remember was it seemed to take a while to get the strength back after the surgery. Megan is able to stand with assistance and I just remember it taking awhile for her to be able to stand again. Hopefully someone will come along and be able to answer your questions as far as mobility and walking.....
I know she was in long leg casts for a few weeks also.
The surgery itself was very easy for her, she sailed right thru it.
Good Luck
Tracy

Steffers2318 · 07-30-2006, 09:31 AM

Maybe you would feel more comfortable if you got a second opinion? Just to see if the second doctor says the same thing?

JellyRJFan · 07-30-2006, 11:31 AM

Your daughter sounds a lot like me. I have quad CP, but my right side is more affected. My right foot is 1 1/2 sizes smaller, it turns in more than the left, and I can't really move it due to spasticity in the ankle... plus I had a SPLATT and a few other things done on that foot back in the day.

I had bilateral hamstring lengthening at 13 (7 years ago). It was a REALLY easy surgey, besides being half covered in plaster in the middle of summer! I would probably do it again if I had the choice to do things over, but I might have waited a few years. I know if I hadn't had it done I probably wouldn't be able to walk right now, but I lost so much strength after the surgery that never returned, and that really sucked. I used to be able to skateboard and surf a little, and I definitely can't do that anymore. I've also not ridden a bike since a few months after my surgery, but that is partly because I got into a nasty accident during PT. I could probably still ride if I tried.

I think I'm just generally slower, less coordinated and not as strong after the surgery, but keep in mind this doesn't happen to everyone!
Some positives are that I can straighten my legs completely, even though they have started to contract again. I couldn't straighten them before. Also, my walk is a lot smoother except for a slight increase in the contorsion of my right femur. Furthermore, once I got used to my new set of legs so to speak, I started falling a LOT less. Pre surgery I probably fell anywhere from 5-10 times a day. Post surgery was hard to deal with being so loose, but now I don't even fall every day!

Long story short- I still would have done it, I just wish someone had told me about the possibility of weakness instead of everyone (parents and doctors) making it sound like it would be some magic bullet cure all for my problems.

Pinkmom · 07-30-2006, 07:35 PM

Thanks to everyone for replying! I forgot to mention that I did go for a second opinion and the doctor at CHOP thought the surgery would benefit my daughter. She also had a gait analysis completed at Dupont where they placed electronic probes on her muscles and had her run, walk etc. In the calf muscle they injected/inserted a wire that tested the strength in her muscle. Has anyone had this done?? When we met with the physical therapist, he told us that this surgery could do nothing but benefit her and he recommended it. When I asked what the worse thing that could happen... all three said that the worse thing would be that nothing changed but since she has so much control already... this should work great. So... we have three GOs so far... how come we still don't feel right???