A seven-year-old with cerebral palsy has been given the chance of a ‘normal life’ by a pioneering operation to help him walk unaided.
The operation, using a method which has evolved over the last 30 years, was carried out for the first time in the UK at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.
Beau Britton, from Kelly Bray in Cornwall, had the operation three weeks ago using what is called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), and his mother Tracey says his life has already changed dramatically.
The new version of SDR concentrates on the lower part of the spinal cord, increasing its effectiveness and reducing risk.
Mrs Britton said: 'What has amazed me are some of the instant effects. As far as we can tell he is not waking up with cramps at night due to spasticity any more, something which has caused major sleep deprivation for all of us over the last seven years.
'Also his cerebral palsy meant that his legs were crossed and his feet were planted on top of each other. They are now straight and getting him dressed is so much easier because his overall balance has improved so much.
'He was sitting on the sofa the other day and started dangling his legs over the edge.
'This may sound like a really small thing but he has never been able to do this before. He can also wriggle his toes.'
Beau has already undergone two weeks of intensive physiotherapy but will need physiotherapy every day for at least two years, as well as hydrotherapy.
Mrs Britton added: 'We know this is a long-term thing and we are fully prepared for that.
'My ultimate aim is for Beau to walk without his wheelchair or walking frame. But that is a long time off and it is difficult to think that far ahead at the moment.'
The first operation at Frenchay Hospital was carried out by consultant neurosurgeon Kristian Aquilina in early May.
It involves the division of some of the nerves as they enter the spinal cord to free up constricting muscles caused by lower limb spasticity or increased muscle tone.
If performed early enough, problems related to lower limb spasticity, such as muscle shortening, contractures and abnormal bone growth, can be reduced or even eliminated.
If Beau did not receive the operation on the NHS, Mrs Britton said the family would have needed to raise £40,000 to take him to the US for the operation.
Mrs Britton said: 'We would have had no option other than to fundraise. We feel incredibly fortunate that Beau has been able to have this procedure on the NHS in Bristol. The care he received from Kristian and all the staff at Frenchay was just wonderful.'
Beau has previously had extensive orthopaedic surgery on both legs and hips and, without SDR, this would have been on-going throughout his life.
Mrs Britton said: 'We would love Beau to do some of the things other children take for granted: to wear wellies and splash in the puddles, and to go to the beach and wear flip-flops.
'It would be wonderful to take him skiing and we would love him to be able to experience the freedom of independent movement and, if ever possible, to dance.'
Thanking the consultant who worked on Beau, she said: 'He has given Beau a second chance, a chance of a more normal life, which is priceless.'
Mr Aquilina said: 'Up to now, SDR, in its traditional form only, has been available at one hospital in the country; and this year alone 40 families from the UK have gone to the United States for SDR at their own expense.
'We have now set up a multidisciplinary team at Frenchay Hospital to evaluate and select children for SDR. This team consists of paediatric physiotherapists with special expertise in cerebral palsy, a paediatric neurosurgeon, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon and a paediatric neurologist.
'Our first micro-neurosurgical SDR, also the first in the UK, was performed in Frenchay on May 3. The patient went on to have two weeks of intensive in-patient physiotherapy and is now at home where he will undergo more months of physiotherapy before he and his family start to see the real benefits.'
One of the common causes of cerebral palsy is premature birth. Extensive evidence now exists, recently recognised by Nice, which demonstrates the value of SDR for children with the condition.
source: dailymail.co.uk
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