When should rehabilitation start after surgery?

Depends on surgery type. After SDR — usually 5–7 days post-op (once the epidural drain is removed). After orthopedic surgeries (osteotomy, Achilles lengthening) — once stable, typically 1–2 weeks post-op. The earlier the start, the better the outcome. The ideal scenario is to plan the rehabilitation course before the surgery and travel straight afterward.

Do you perform the surgery itself in Huizhou?

No. The surgeries themselves (SDR, SPML, osteotomy, etc.) are performed by our partners — neurosurgical centers in Guangzhou and the Yuncheng Orthopedic Research Institute. Those are specialized centers with expertise in these procedures. NeuroLife is a rehabilitation center; we coordinate the surgical referral and admit the patient straight afterward.

Can we rehabilitate at your clinic but have surgery in Russia or Uzbekistan?

Yes, that's possible. If the child was operated on in Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, or a European clinic — we accept the discharge, align the plan with the operating surgeon, and admit the patient for rehabilitation. It's important not to delay: the shorter the gap between surgery and rehabilitation, the better the outcome.

How long does recovery take?

A standard course is 3 months of daily sessions. After that — a required home program and a follow-up visit at 6 months. Full return to functional level depends on surgery type and pre-op status: after SDR typically 6–12 months, after orthopedic surgery 4–9 months. Most patients complete two courses 6–8 months apart.

PSR

Treatment of PSR in

Name: Нейролайф Китай
Price range: $$

Post-surgical rehabilitation for children with CP and orthopedic conditions. NeuroLife Huizhou accepts patients after neurosurgical procedures (SDR, SPML, SLOB) and orthopedic operations (hip osteotomy, Achilles lengthening). The surgeries themselves are performed by our partners — Yuncheng Orthopedic Research Institute, neurosurgical centers in Guangzhou — and the full rehabilitation program runs at our clinic.

89%

improvement

200+

patients

3 months

course

About the condition

What is Post-surgical Rehabilitation?

Post-surgical rehabilitation is a critical stage in the management of children with CP, spasticity, or severe orthopedic deformity. The surgery itself (for example, selective dorsal rhizotomy SDR, selective minimally invasive myofibrotomy SPML, or orthopedic interventions such as SLOB and hip osteotomy) only creates a window of opportunity — to consolidate the effect and form new movement patterns requires systematic rehabilitation. The Chinese medical system has developed an interesting architecture. Surgeries for international patients are performed in specialized centers: Yuncheng Orthopedic Research Institute (Assoc. Prof. Liu Hejian — author of modified SPML and Ponseti protocols), neurosurgical clinics in Guangzhou. Rehabilitation runs at our clinic in Huizhou, in a comfortable family-friendly environment with the full method set and no long waiting lists. The cost advantage is significant: surgery in China is markedly cheaper than European alternatives, and on-site rehabilitation eliminates the cross-border logistics. The program proceeds in stages. Stage one (week 1–2 post-op) is gentle management: assessment of post-op status, pain control, complication prevention, beginning of passive mobilization. Traditional Chinese medicine helps a lot here — acupuncture for pain control and edema reduction, gentle Tuina, physiotherapy. Stage two (week 3–6) is active rehabilitation. Gradual load increase, kinesiotherapy focused on functional movement, gait pattern restoration (when applicable). We add CME — dynamic activation of motor cortex zones, especially effective after SDR. In parallel an occupational therapist (return of daily skills) and, if needed, a speech therapist work with the child. Stage three (week 7–12) is consolidation and functional expansion. Correction of residual deformities via biomechanical insoles or modified Ponseti. Psychomotor rehabilitation (PMT) to restore confidence and coordination. Parent school and a detailed home program. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) review at each stage with input from the surgeon. The typical program length is 3 months, and effectiveness is recorded in 89% of patients in the form of consolidated surgical results and formation of new movement patterns. Without proper rehabilitation, many surgical effects regress within a year.

Indications for surgery

Persistent spasticity unresponsive to conservative therapy (especially in CP GMFCS 2–4), hip deformities with dislocation risk, fixed equinus contractures, severe scoliosis, torsional deformities of long bones. Indications are always set by a multidisciplinary team: neurologist, orthopedist, rehabilitation physician.

Post-operative findings

Transient hypotonia after SDR (typically 4–6 weeks), post-op range-of-motion restrictions, local edema and pain, temporary regression of some functional skills. These are natural findings, manageable with the right rehabilitation program. Without intervention they may become permanent.

Pre-op and post-op assessment

Pre-op — functional assessment via GMFCS/MACS, gait video, X-rays, MRI if needed. Surgical goals are aligned with the rehabilitation team. Post-op — range of motion, pain level, complications, motor function trajectory tracked weekly. The final assessment at 3 months is compared with the pre-op baseline.

Prognosis

With a full 3-month rehabilitation course the surgical effect lasts for years — we record durable functional gains in 89% of patients. Without rehabilitation partial regression within 6–12 months occurs in most. We recommend follow-up support courses at 6 and 12 months after the initial program.

Our approach