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Expert Surgical Care for Children With Spasticity
When a child struggles with stiff, uncontrolled muscles, everyday activities walking, reaching, sitting upright can become exhausting challenges. For families in Mumbai and Thane navigating this journey, understanding when medical or surgical intervention may help is an important first step.
Dr. Harshal Agrawal, a pediatric neurosurgeon with over 12 years of specialized experience, offers comprehensive spasticity treatment in Mumbai & Thane, including advanced surgical options tailored to each child’s needs and goals.
Spasticity is a condition where muscles remain persistently tight or stiff due to disrupted nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord. It is not simply “tight muscles” — it is a neurological problem that affects movement, posture, and comfort.
In children, spasticity can interfere with how they walk, use their hands, or maintain balance. Left untreated, it may lead to joint deformities, pain, and reduced independence over time.
The most common cause of spasticity in children is cerebral palsy, a group of neurological conditions resulting from brain injury around the time of birth. Other causes include:
Understanding the underlying cause is essential before recommending any treatment path.
Parents often notice:
These symptoms vary widely from child to child, which is why treatment must always be individualized.
Surgery for spasticity is not the first option — it is considered when:
A thorough neurological evaluation, gait analysis, and multidisciplinary team review precede any surgical recommendation.
One of the most effective surgical options for children with severe spasticity is baclofen pump surgery, also known as intrathecal baclofen pump therapy.
In this procedure, a small programmable pump is implanted under the skin of the abdomen. It delivers baclofen — a muscle-relaxing medication — directly into the spinal fluid, where it works at the source of the problem. Because the medication bypasses the digestive system, much smaller doses are needed, reducing side effects significantly.
Baclofen pump treatment is particularly beneficial for children with widespread spasticity affecting both the upper and lower body, such as in spastic quadriplegia related to cerebral palsy.
Benefits include:
The pump is refilled periodically in an outpatient setting and can be adjusted as the child grows or their needs change.
Dr. Harshal Agrawal has expertise in evaluating children for baclofen pump treatment and long-term pump management as part of comprehensive pediatric spasticity care.
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a permanent surgical procedure in which specific sensory nerve fibers contributing to spasticity are selectively cut in the spinal cord. It is most effective in children with spastic diplegia (primarily affecting the legs) who have good underlying muscle strength.
SDR can lead to lasting improvement in walking ability and is often combined with intensive post-operative physiotherapy for the best outcomes.
Other surgical approaches, such as orthopedic procedures to address secondary complications of spasticity (like tendon lengthening), may be recommended alongside neurosurgical treatment depending on the child’s individual presentation.
Surgery is only one part of the treatment journey. Recovery — particularly after SDR — requires a committed rehabilitation program.
Following baclofen pump surgery, most children recover within a few weeks and can gradually return to therapy. After SDR, intensive physiotherapy begins within days of surgery and continues for 12–18 months to help the child build strength and relearn movement patterns.
Dr. Harshal Agrawal works closely with pediatric physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation specialists to support each child’s recovery comprehensively. The goal is not just reducing stiffness — it is helping children achieve greater independence in real life.
Families across Mumbai and Thane trust Dr. Harshal Agrawal for cerebral palsy spasticity surgery and advanced movement disorder care because of:
Dr. Agrawal believes that every child with spasticity deserves a carefully considered, individualized treatment plan not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Dr. Harshal Agrawal practices at leading pediatric neurosurgery hospitals in Mumbai and Thane, offering access to advanced surgical infrastructure and dedicated pediatric care teams. Families from across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Thane, Navi Mumbai, and surrounding districts, can access his consultations conveniently.
Click here to confirm the current hospital locations, OPD schedules, and appointment availability.
Spasticity surgery refers to neurosurgical procedures — such as baclofen pump implantation or selective dorsal rhizotomy — that reduce abnormal muscle stiffness caused by neurological conditions like cerebral palsy. These surgeries target the root cause of spasticity in the nervous system rather than just masking symptoms.
Baclofen pump surgery is typically recommended for children with severe, widespread spasticity that has not responded adequately to oral medications, Botox injections, or physiotherapy. It is especially helpful when spasticity affects the whole body and interferes with daily functioning or care.
Yes. Intrathecal baclofen pump therapy has a well-established safety profile in pediatric patients. Because medication is delivered directly to the spinal fluid in very small doses, it avoids many of the side effects associated with oral baclofen. The device is adjustable and reversible, making it a flexible long-term option.
The best treatment depends on the severity of spasticity and the child’s functional needs. Treatment may include physiotherapy, medications, botulinum injections, baclofen pump treatment, or selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery.
Dr. Harshal Agrawal is a highly regarded pediatric neurosurgeon specializing in spasticity treatment in Mumbai & Thane, with over 12 years of experience in managing cerebral palsy-related spasticity, baclofen pump procedures, and movement disorder surgery in children.
Living with uncontrolled spasticity affects not just movement — it affects a child’s confidence, independence, and quality of life. Early, appropriate treatment can make a meaningful difference.
If your child has been diagnosed with spasticity or cerebral palsy-related muscle stiffness, a specialist consultation can help clarify the options available and what may realistically be achieved.
Book an Appointment with Dr. Harshal Agrawal Consult a trusted pediatric spasticity specialist in Mumbai & Thane and take an informed step toward better movement and a better quality of life for your child.
Dr. Harshal Agrawal is a trusted Pediatric Neurosurgeon in Mumbai & Thane, offering specialized care for brain, spine, and neurological conditions with expert precision and compassion.
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