Heel Cord Lengthening

Heel cord lengthening is a common procedure for children with cerebral palsy who walk on their toes.  In very basic terms, the tendon is tight, but with a small snip to the tendon (like a rubber band) the tendon will stretch further.

Michael could not stand straight and as he grew his posture became worse.  Michael had heel cord lengthening surgery when he was 12 to stretch his tendons.  It did require an overnight stay at the hospital and both legs were completely casted straight for three weeks. 

Results

Michael’s gait improved dramatically.  He was able to move easier and stand straight.  His posture looked so good and we were amazed how tall he really was. 

Things to Consider Before Scheduling Surgery

Maneuvering is difficult if your doctor requires casting.  Michael’s legs were casted straight out from his feet to the tops of his legs.  We contacted the school to prepare them.  Simple things like the bus lift were difficult to maneuver.  We needed to rent a special chair that allowed Michael to lay back and put his feet up.  Sitting straight is painful because it pulls at the tendons.  At times he was in a lot of pain.  I compare it to someone bending my leg further than I could and then casting it that way.  It hurts. 

Doctors use the word discomfort – that’s a fancy word for painful.  I’ve come to realize that doctors perform surgery, visit the patient when they are heavily medicated, and schedule a check-up in two to three weeks.  They don’t live all of the in between, painful, how do we get around times.  Talk to other parents who have been through the procedure to get a realistic expectation.

Parents should know that this procedure sometimes needs to be repeated as the child grows.