Preparing for Orthopedic Surgery

When a child with cerebral palsy (CP) needs orthopedic surgery — like a hip reconstruction or spine procedure — the preparation that happens before the operation is just as important as the surgery itself. A team of six pediatric orthopedic specialists from leading children's hospitals across the country, including Boston Children's, NYU Langone, and Rady Children's Hospital, came together to write a thorough guide on exactly what that preparation should look like.

Their review covers every major body system that can affect how safely a child with CP goes through surgery and recovers afterward.  They looked at how to manage breathing challenges, seizure medications, nutrition and feeding tube considerations, skin health, pain control, and even the emotional and psychological impact of surgery on children and families.  Because CP affects every child differently, the researchers emphasize that no single plan works for everyone — the best outcomes happen when a whole team of doctors, therapists, and caregivers works together to build a plan tailored specifically to that child.

Their key recommendations are:

• Do a thorough pre-surgery checkup that reviews the child's full medical history, current medications, physical abilities, and emotional needs — ideally with your child's own pediatrician involved.
• Involve specialists early, including anesthesiologists, neurologists, GI doctors, and pulmonologists, so every aspect of the your child's health is accounted for before the day of surgery.
• Plan ahead for practical needs — from the right pain management approach to having proper equipment (like a hospital bed or wheelchair) ready at home before discharge.
• Keep communication open - between the surgical team, medical providers, and the family so everyone understands the plan, the risks, and what to expect during recovery.

The goal of all this preparation is simple: to give every child with CP the safest possible surgery and the best possible recovery.

Reference:

Chambers HG, Hogue GD, Karamitopoulos MS, Larson JE, Shore BJ, Schreiber VM. Preoperative Evaluation of the Child With Cerebral Palsy. J Pediatr Soc North Am. 2025 Dec 18;14:100312. doi: 10.1016/j.jposna.2025.100312. PMID: 41658017; PMCID: PMC12876692.