If your daughter was born with cerebral palsy, you want to do everything you can to make her life as normal and happy as possible. You get speech therapists to help her learn to communicate. You buy orthotics so that she can move around more easily. You learn from her physical therapist how to help her exercise her muscles.
When the doctor mentions surgery, however, you have a lot to consider.
Risks Versus Benefits
Choosing surgery for your child is traumatic and disruptive:
- There is always a risk of infection and bleeding.
- She will feel some degree of pain, although of course she will receive pain medication.
- She may have to stay in the hospital—away from her family, although many surgical procedures can be done on an outpatient basis.
- Her operation and recovery time will disrupt her school and social life.
Surgery is not a cure:
- Although your daughter will probably show some improvement after surgery, most surgeries for cerebral palsy will not fully restore functioning.
- Some improvements from surgery will be only temporary; they may change as your daughter grows.
- Surgery may address a current problem but create another one that appears when your daughter grows.
- After surgery, your daughter may still need orthotics, lots of various therapies, casts, or night splints—and the expense adds up.
- More surgeries may be needed.
Has Your Family Been Impacted by a Birth Injury?
If your family has been impacted by a birth injury you need to speak with an experienced birth injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 888.450.4456 to schedule a free consultation.