Synopsis of resource:
This resource is a booklet that addresses some of the questions that children with cerebral palsy and their families may have about rehabilitation after lower limb orthopedic surgery. It covers five key areas: (1) you and your body, (2) getting home, (3) school, (4) recovery and rehabilitation and, (5) what happens when things don’t go to plan? It has space for families to note the names and contact details of their healthcare teams and support services, and space for notes, questions and information about rehabilitation.
It is intended as a resource to help children and families discuss what happens after surgery and what their needs are likely to be – both within their family, but also with their healthcare teams in the hospital and community. We hope that it will prompt discussion between families and healthcare teams and facilitate successful rehabilitation planning.
The booklet is available in hard copy, electronic and audio formats.
Key learning outcomes
- People with CP and their families often feel under-prepared for rehabilitation and recovery following surgery
- This resource aims to help children and families prepare for rehabilitation after surgery and prompt timely discussions with their healthcare team
- The resource can be provided by any member of the healthcare team after a decision to operate has been made and the goals of surgery discussed with the family
- The resource does not constitute individualized medical advice – it is a generic resource that broadly addresses questions raised by people with CP and their families.
Authors
Claire Kerr
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT9 7BL
Claire is a research physiotherapist who aims to improve the health, well-being and provision of clinical services for children and young people with physical disabilities, in particular, those with cerebral palsy. Claire co-manages the Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register, monitoring prevalence and supporting research into the condition. Her research explores the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, use of measurement tools, health services research and knowledge translation with allied health professionals that work with children with cerebral palsy and their families.
