In October of last year Carter underwent a fairly new and controversial procedure in the spina bifida world, Selective Percutaneous Myofascial Lengthening (SPML). Much research is being done with this procedure as it relates to people with CP. But Carter has spina bifida. Could this procedure produce the amazing results the CP community is seeing? Although much was unknown, we (and our insurance) were willing to give this a try to help correct a knee contracture that was a direct result of his year of bed rest, wound flap surgery and failed tendon release. SPML is done to release the tightening or spasticity of a muscle. The best way I can describe it is to liken it to a meat tenderizer. Small incisions are made so the doctor can access the myofascial (the place where the muscle and tendon overlap). Once inside, hundreds of micro incisions are made in the myofascial, much the way you would tenderize a tough steak. In addition, Carter would have an alcohol nerve block done to help reduce the amount of constant knee pain he felt. As I said earlier, there is much success with this procedure in the CP community but very few people with spina bifida have tried it. After a lot of ...

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