Patients who are candidates for surgery will be seen by a physical therapist who will assess range of motion, wheelchair needs, and orthotics and discuss preoperative and postoperative physical therapy protocols. Occasionally a head MRI scan is arranged through the family doctor before or after the initial evaluation to enable us to better determine if the patient is a suitable candidate. Occasionally, an MRI is done after the initial evaluation to determine candidate selection. Additional tests may include evaluations for spasticity and strength with a KinCom dynamometer. These analyses help the treatment team understand more about the patient's impairment and functional abilities.
Strength is often the most difficult area to assess in the presence of spasticity.