Orthopedic surgery in children with intrathecal baclofen pumps.

Aims: Children with cerebral palsy often have severe spasticity leading to deformity that requires multiple orthopedic surgeries. Intrathecal baclofen pump implantation effectively decreases severe spasticity. The objective of this study was to determine whether children who have a baclofen pump implanted at a young age have fewer orthopedic surgeries than those who have a baclofen pump implanted at later ages.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy in children with spastic hemiparesis.

Object: Neurological conditions including cerebral palsy, brain injury, and stroke often result in severe spasticity, which can lead to significant deformity and interfere with function. Treatments for spasticity include oral medications, intramuscular botulinum toxin type A injections, orthopedic surgeries, intrathecal baclofen pump implantation, and selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR). Selective dorsal rhizotomy, which has been well studied in children with spastic diplegia, results in significant reduction in spasticity and improved function in children.

An intensive motor skills treatment program for children with cerebral palsy.

This article describes the development and efficacy of the Intensive Motor Skills Program conducted at Primary Children's Medical Center. The program was designed for children with cerebral palsy who have undergone a medical procedure and were determined to need a "jumpstart" to gain functional skills. Data was collected from parent interviews that determine desired outcomes during the two-week program.

Surgical treatment of spasticity in children: comparison of selective dorsal rhizotomy and intrathecal baclofen pump implantation.

Introduction: Neurosurgical treatments for spasticity in children include the traditional selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and intrathecal baclofen pumps (ITBPs), which have been widely used in the past decade as an attractive alternative. The purpose of the study was to examine and compare the outcomes of these two procedures in the treatment of children with severe spasticity.

Materials And Methods: A consecutive series of 71 children who underwent SDR for treatment of spasticity was compared with a group of 71 children matched by age and preoperative score on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) who underwent ITBP placement.

Care provider assessment of intrathecal baclofen in children.

Intrathecal baclofen is used increasingly to manage severe spasticity in children. Before implanting the baclofen pump, care providers typically ask how it will benefit their child. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of care providers about intrathecal baclofen for management of spasticity in 80 individuals (52 males, 28 females).

Complications of intrathecal baclofen pumps in children.

Intrathecal baclofen is increasingly being used to manage severe spasticity in children. Although substantial tone reduction with this treatment has been documented, complications also occur. In this study, we describe the device- and major non-device-related complications in a group of 100 consecutive children and young adults who received 117 intrathecal baclofen pumps for the management of severe spasticity.