Preoperative Assessments for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) in cerebral palsy care aims to improve gait and function in ambulatory children and enhance comfort in nonambulatory children. This assessment and planning process for SDR requires a multidisciplinary team to work closely with patients and families to weigh the benefits and risks of SDR. Preoperative assessments allow the clinical team to select suitable candidates, set realistic goals, and optimise outcomes. These evaluations include physical measures, assessment of gross motor function and functional daily living skills, and gait analysis to better quantify the impact of spasticity in the SDR candidate. Further orthopaedic evaluations are required to identify pain and musculoskeletal issues, guiding subsequent post-SDR interventions. Additionally, assessments of quality-of-life assessments ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that includes psychosocial support. This chapter discusses the comprehensive preoperative rehabilitation assessments that assist clinicians and families in making shared decisions about SDR.