Emaad’s story: Maximizing his potential with intensive rehab

When Emaad was 3 years old, his parents knew he might soon be eligible for a surgery that could help him walk and more freely explore the world. But they were pregnant with Emaad’s sister and stretched thin from Emaad’s many medical appointments. They didn’t know how they’d be able to face surgery and the required six weeks of rehab afterward.

And yet, they knew, in their hearts, that they wanted to do this for their son.

“It was scary to consider surgery for our young son. But it has absolutely changed our lives,” says Emaad’s mom, Navin.

Reducing spasticity through surgery

When Emaad was diagnosed with spastic triplegic cerebral palsy (CP) at 18 months old, his parents weren’t surprised. He’d already received physical therapy for delayed motor skills and home health support for help rolling over. He had a lot of spasticity or tightness in both legs and his right arm, making it so he couldn’t pull himself up to stand.

They knew the spasticity in his legs would keep him from walking – unless he had a type of surgery called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR).

During SDR, the surgeon identifies the overactive sensory nerves that are causing a child’s spasticity and cuts those, leaving the child’s motor nerves intact. The surgery helps the brain and spinal cord develop new, healthy nerve pathways that make it easier for a child to use their muscles.

Unlocking new abilities

SDR surgery is always followed by intensive inpatient rehab. While Emaad’s family chose to have surgery in Houston, they knew they wanted to do his post-surgery intensive rehab at Children’s Health℠ Pediatric Inpatient Rehab and Integrated Therapy Services Center, which was closer to home, and “has a really good reputation,” according to Navin.

“The surgery relieves the muscle spasticity. But those muscles have been so tight for so long that they are very weak. Patients need intensive rehab, which basically aims to rewire the brain to strengthen the muscles and use them effectively,” says Rajashree Srinivasan, M.D., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Doctor and Division Director at Children's Health, Associate Professor at UT Southwestern.

During six weeks of intensive rehab, the team of therapists at Children’s Health worked on Emaad’s muscle strength and control, range of motion, walking patterns and posture – for several hours a day.

After about four weeks of this intensive therapy, Emaad was able to take his very first independent steps – at the age of 4.

But those first steps were not the only amazing change after surgery. Emaad also experienced more success in potty training – and a very dramatic change in his speech.

“Emaad suddenly started speaking clearly – in full sentences. Before, he used a maximum of two to three words,” Navin says. “But the day after surgery, he was just talking, talking, talking, like all this language he’d had bottled up inside got released.”

Dr. Srinivasan says she’s seen this change in other kids too.

“When a child’s body no longer has to fight spasticity all the time, they can pay more attention to other things,” says Dr. Srinivasan.

Transferring to the new Integrated Therapy Unit in Plano

Emaad started intensive therapy in Dallas, then transferred to the new ITU in Plano. “We were actually happy to move to Plano because it was closer for us and we had a new baby at home,” said Navin.

They were also happy to transfer to Plano because they knew it was a state-of-the-art facility, and they’d still get the same level of excellent care from staff they’d come to love.

Navin and her extended family loved the “huge” patient rooms in Plano and how well-equipped all the therapy rooms are. Emaad loved the playroom for kids with a playhouse, kitchen, video games and cars. According to Dr. Srinivasan, Emaad is a big fan of Lamborghinis.

They also spent a lot of time in the spacious family room. “Every evening, we gathered to look out over the huge meadow and watch the horses with Emaad, which was a great way to pass the time,” says Navin.

Words of wisdom for other families

Watching Emaad bloom and become more himself has been such a joy for his family, which includes a set of grandparents who live with them and their dog named Jax.

“Emaad is always smiling and laughing and making friends wherever he goes. And we are a big, close family that loves to eat together, walk together and just be together,” says Navin.

He continues to do outpatient therapy and receive follow-up care from Dr. Srinivasan.

At home, they’ve noticed a new confidence in his body. “Before surgery, he was so stiff and could barely bend his knees. It was hard for him to sit on the floor and he always wanted to be in a chair. Now, he’s saying, ‘Mommy, I want to be on the floor,’” says Navin.

To any parents considering SDR surgery, Navin wouldn’t hesitate to say: “It’s been such a positive experience for us. And the rehab program at Children’s Health is amazing.”

She also offers more general advice for parents of children who have CP:

“You really don’t know the potential of a child until you put them in a situation and see what they are capable of. Early on, we had a doctor at another hospital who was upset with us that we hadn’t bought a wheelchair by the time Emaad was 2. But he didn’t need one because we knew he was going to walk. So don’t lose hope and be sure to investigate everything that’s out there to help your child find their way in the world.”

Dr. Srinivasan couldn’t agree more with Navin’s sentiments:

Learn more

Now open in Plano, Children’s Health Rehab & Integrated Therapy – Panda Cares Center of Hope provides expert rehabilitation and family-centered care for children with complex medical needs, close to home.