Program at a Glance
5,300
more than 5,300 patients treated
87
treated patients from 87 different countries
#1
children’s hospital in Missouri
What is Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy?
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical procedure used to reduce muscle stiffness in patients with cerebral palsy. Doctors cut specific nerve fibers in the spine that are causing the stiffness. The procedure usually lasts about 4 hours and involves a small incision in the lower back.
What is spasticity and cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy spasticity inhibits a child’s muscle growth, causing muscle contractures and orthopedic deformities. If a child’s spasticity is reduced at a young age, the deformities can become less severe. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a neurosurgical procedure that reduces spasticity and improves the ability to walk and stand.
“Park” SDR
The T.S. Park Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Program, founded in 1989 by pediatric neurosurgeon T.S. Park, MD, has been a global leader in SDR surgical treatments. Over his distinguished career, Dr. Park performed over 5,300 surgeries on patients from 87 countries and published more than 50 scientific articles on rhizotomy. Under his guidance, the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at St. Louis Children’s Hospital became one of the nation’s top centers.
While other hospitals now perform the Park SDR technique, the program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital remains unparalleled in its comprehensive approach. We provide an extensive range of pre- and post-operative care, including physical therapy and rehabilitation, ensuring the best possible outcomes. This approach rooted in decades of experience and expertise sets our program apart from others who may replicate the surgical technique but cannot match the full spectrum of care we deliver.
Our program’s commitment to excellence and our unmatched depth of experience makes us the premier choice for families seeking the highest level of specialized care.
Program Director
Jarod L. Roland, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program
Director of The T.S. Park Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) Program
- Email: rolandj@nospam.wustl.edu
What sets us apart?
- Comprehensive and robust program: Our complete care package includes advanced pre- and post-operative services, ensuring every patient’s needs are met.
- Minimally invasive approach: Our surgical techniques result in less blood loss, reduced pain, and minimal risk of spine deformity.
- Team with unmatched experience: Our team’s extensive knowledge and skill, built over years of practice, guarantee the highest quality of care.
- Unique care protocols: Patients stay in the hospital for 5 days, with the first 3 days focused on pain management via an epidural catheter under the care of our Anesthesia Pain Medicine team. This is followed by a seamless transition to outpatient therapy with our dedicated Physical Therapy team.
Who benefits from SDR surgery?
All children with spastic diplegia, triplegia and quadriplegia following premature birth should be evaluated for selective dorsal rhizotomy. The center’s director Jarod L. Roland, MD, believes children with cerebral palsy spasticity should be evaluated for potential dorsal rhizotomy before other orthopedic procedures are performed.
For more information on criteria, please see Patient Selection.
If you are interested in being evaluated for selective dorsal rhizotomy, please click the button and fill out the Patient Information Form to complete a screening.
Contact us
Mid Campus Center (MCC)
4590 Childrens Pl
St. Louis, Missouri 63110 USA
Phone 314.454.2813, or toll-free 800.416.9956
Fax 314.454.2818