Editor's Comments
Comparison of functional outcomes from orthopedic and neurosurgical interventions in spastic diplegia. Mark F. Abel, M.D., Diane L. Damiano, Ph.D., P.T., John F. McLaughlin, M.D., Kit M. Song, M.D., Catherine S. Graubert, P.T., and Kristie F. Bjornson, M.S., P.T., P.C.S.
The authors report on two groups of patients, one group treated with selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) because of spasticity and the other group by orthopedic operations that were performed for muscle--tendon contractures. Each patient group was a part of a larger group of patients enrolled in prospective trials in two institutions. Based on their data, the authors propose a number of useful hypotheses that warrant further studies. In particular, they suggest that muscle--tendon surgeries and SDR may be complementary procedures with additive benefits.
