SickKids and Holland Bloorview to offer SDR services in Ontario

December 18, 2017 – The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Holland Bloorview) are pleased to announce the launch of a three-year joint integrated selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) program in Ontario. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care today announced funding for SDR in the province, which will now offer care close to home.

The new provincial SDR program consists of a multidisciplinary team including developmental paediatric rehabilitation specialists, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and nurses. SDR assessments and post-operative rehabilitation management will take place at Holland Bloorview and surgery will occur at SickKids.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood physical disability affecting 1 in 500 children in North America. One of the most common symptoms of CP is increased muscle tone producing stiffness or spasticity, which interferes with movement, and can be associated with discomfort or pain. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery is a neurosurgical intervention to permanently treat spasticity in a subgroup of children with CP.

Children with CP and significant spasticity (high muscle tone) in their legs with goals of improving motor function such as standing, walking, or running will be assessed to determine if they may be an appropriate candidate based on evidence-based criteria and individual assessment for an SDR procedure. Every child is individually assessed as part of determining the best care pathway and outcomes, and their unique needs and goals. Some clinical assessment categories include, age, CP subtype, ambulatory status, spasticity in legs, and ability to participate in an active therapy program.

The new program will serve Ontario only and families should speak to their local children’s treatment centre’s affiliated rehabilitation physician for referral to the SDR assessment clinic at Holland Bloorview.

Media contacts:
Suzanne Gold
The Hospital for Sick Children
suzanne.gold@sickkids.ca
416-813-7654 x. 202059

Michelle Stegnar
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
mstegnar@hollandbloorview.ca
416-425-6220 x. 3497