Purpose: This study explores post-operative family situation, rehabilitation and interdisciplinary cooperation for ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP), after multilevel surgery.
Methods: Eight ambulant spastic children with varied severity of CP and their parents were included. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were carried out separately with children and parents.
Results: Children experiencing a low degree of post-operative pain were satisfied due to improved strength and ambulation, leading to increased social participation. A few experienced severe pain and modest physical improvement. Most families experienced a lack of information and communication between rehabilitation levels. Rehabilitation was considered strenuous because of complex and intense training programmes. Schools were mostly responsive to children's extra post-operative needs, but some examples of serious neglect and bullying occurred.
Conclusion: Results imply the need for systematic securing of interdisciplinary knowledge transfer regionally and locally by the university hospital, aiming at empowering families and health professionals involved in this complex rehabilitation.