What Questions Should I Ask a Cerebral Palsy Surgeon?
Most families go into a CP surgery consultation underprepared. They’re nervous, the surgeon is confident, and they leave without asking the things they genuinely needed to know. This guide fixes that. Here are the questions worth bringing, grouped by what you’re actually trying to find out, plus a note on what good answers look like.
Before you go
Write your questions down before the appointment. You will forget half of them if you don’t. And bring two people if you can, because one of you will be focused on the child and the other can take notes.
If this is your first consultation with a surgeon, you’re not committing to anything. You’re gathering information, and a good surgeon knows that. Don’t feel rushed into decisions, and don’t take it as a bad sign if you need another appointment or want to speak to a different surgeon before deciding.
Record the appointment on your phone if the surgeon agrees. You’ll want to go back over what was said, and memory is unreliable when you’re in an emotionally charged situation.
Questions about the surgeon’s track record
How many procedures of this specific type have you performed?
Not “how many CP surgeries” in general — this specific procedure. A surgeon may have extensive orthopaedic experience but limited practice with the technique you’re considering.
A good answer: A specific number. Hundreds, not dozens, for a surgeon asking you to trust them with your child.
Do you see many patients in a similar situation to my child — same age, same CP pattern, same functional level?
Results in one patient group don’t automatically transfer to another. A surgeon who mostly treats toddlers has a different reference point than one who regularly treats older children or adults.
A good answer: Yes, with specific examples of what they typically see. Vagueness here is worth probing.
Questions about your child’s candidacy
Why do you think surgery is the right next step for my child right now?
You want to hear their specific reasoning, not a general argument for why surgery helps children with CP. The answer should reference your child’s particular situation.
A good answer: References your child’s functional level, spasticity pattern, age, and what physiotherapy alone has and hasn’t achieved.
What happens if we wait another year?
Understanding the cost of delay is as useful as understanding the benefit of acting. Some children benefit from earlier surgery; others have more flexibility in timing. You deserve to know which camp yours is in.
A good answer: A frank assessment of whether delaying would significantly affect outcomes, and why.
Is there anything about my child that makes them a less-than-ideal candidate?
This is the question most parents forget to ask. You want honesty, not reassurance. Every procedure has patient profiles that respond better and worse.
A good answer: An honest answer, not “your child is a great candidate” without qualification.
What specific functional improvements are you expecting for my child, and in what timeframe?
Generic optimism (“we expect good results”) isn’t useful. You want to know: will my child’s heel contact improve? Will their hand open more? Will dressing get easier?
A good answer: Specific to the body parts treated and realistic about timelines. If they can’t be specific, ask why.
Questions about the procedure itself
Walk me through exactly what happens on the day of surgery — from when we arrive to when we leave.
Understanding the day removes a lot of anxiety. How long does the procedure take? How long before your child is awake and comfortable? What does the recovery room look like? Can you stay with them?
A good answer: Detailed and specific. You should come away with a clear picture of the day.
How many body segments will be treated in this session, and why those?
Knowing which muscles are targeted and why tells you a lot about whether the plan is personalised to your child or templated.
A good answer: Clear explanation of the rationale — why these muscles, why not others.
What anaesthesia will be used, and what does recovery from it look like for a child this age?
General anaesthesia is the main source of risk in minimally invasive procedures. Understanding the anaesthetic plan and how children typically respond is part of giving informed consent.
A good answer: Clear information about the type of anaesthesia and typical recovery time, plus what to watch for overnight.
Questions about risks and complications
What is your complication rate for this procedure?
Every surgical procedure carries some risk. A surgeon who quotes a very precise number (based on their own outcomes data) is more credible than one who quotes published trial averages or gives vague reassurances.
A good answer: A specific percentage based on their own cases, with a description of what those complications were.
What are the most common problems that come up, and how do you manage them?
This isn’t about catastrophising. You want to know what “went slightly wrong” looks like, not just what “went terribly wrong” looks like. Minor complications are more likely and more useful to understand.
A good answer: Honest and grounded. A surgeon who says “it’s very rare that anything goes wrong” without specifics is harder to trust than one who says “the most common issue we see is X, and here’s how we handle it.”
What would require urgent attention after we get home, and who do we contact?
This is practical. You need a clear picture of what’s normal post-operative discomfort and what’s a warning sign, and you need a name or number to call, not just “go to your nearest emergency room.”
A good answer: Specific signs to watch for and a clear contact route to the surgical team.
Questions about rehabilitation and results
Who designs the rehabilitation program, and how specific is it to my child’s surgery?
A generic “do physiotherapy” instruction is not a rehabilitation program. You want to know whether the plan is individualised, who created it, and whether it accounts for the specific muscles that were treated.
A good answer: The surgeon (or a named specialist) designs a written program specific to the procedure performed. “We’ll refer you to a physio” without more detail is insufficient.
When can rehabilitation begin, and what does the first month look like?
The timing of rehabilitation matters a lot. A long delay between surgery and therapy wastes the neuroplastic window that surgery opens up. Knowing the realistic timeline helps you plan.
A good answer: Days, not weeks — at least for some body segments. And a clear description of what that first month involves.
Do I need a local specialist physiotherapist, or is the program designed to be carried out by parents?
This is very practical for families who don’t have access to specialist CP physiotherapy near home. Many clinics assume you have access to services that may not exist in your country.
A good answer: Honest about what can and can’t be done without local specialist input, and a program that accounts for your actual situation.
How do you monitor progress after we leave, and what happens if we’re not seeing the improvements you expected?
The follow-up structure tells you a lot about how seriously a clinic takes outcomes. Telemedicine check-ins, video review, and a clear plan for adjusting the rehabilitation program if things aren’t working are all signs of a well-run service.
A good answer: Scheduled remote follow-up with video review, a process for adjusting the program, and clear criteria for what would prompt a re-evaluation.
Questions for families travelling internationally
How long do we need to stay near the clinic after surgery, and when is it safe to fly home?
International families are balancing medical needs against the practical reality of flights, hotels, and children who are tired of being away from home. You need honest, specific answers, not conservative estimates that double your stay unnecessarily.
A good answer: Based on actual experience with international patients, not theoretical caution.
What support can you give us remotely after we’re back home?
Distance shouldn’t mean you’re on your own after surgery. Ask specifically about telemedicine follow-ups, how quickly they respond to questions by message, and whether there’s a coordinator you can contact for practical issues.
A good answer: Regular scheduled check-ins, responsiveness to messages between appointments, and a clear contact point — not just “you can always reach out.”
What happens if there’s a complication after we’re home in our own country?
You’re possibly 2,000 miles away when this happens. You need to know what the protocol is, who you contact first, and whether the clinic can communicate with local doctors on your behalf if needed.
A good answer: A clear protocol, not a vague assurance that “it won’t happen.”
How to read the answers you get
Two surgeons can give opposite answers to the same question, and the difference isn’t always obvious. Here’s what to listen for.
Specific numbers. References to your child in particular. Honest acknowledgement of uncertainty or limitation. Clear descriptions of what rehabilitation involves. Willingness to connect you with past families. No pressure to decide today.
Vague reassurances (“we have excellent results”) without data. Reluctance to discuss complication rates specifically. A generic rehabilitation plan. Difficulty explaining what makes your child a good candidate. Any pressure to commit quickly.
A good surgeon won’t promise specific outcomes — there are too many variables. But they can tell you what they typically see in patients like your child, why they think your child fits that profile, and what the signs would be if something wasn’t working. That kind of specificity is what you’re looking for.
Getting a second opinion is sensible for a decision of this magnitude. An experienced surgeon won’t be bothered by it. What you’re comparing isn’t which surgeon seems more confident — it’s which one gives you the most specific, consistent, honest answers to the same questions.
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Request a free remote evaluation →Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a cerebral palsy surgeon at a first consultation?
Start with experience: how many procedures of this specific type have they performed? Then move to candidacy: why do they think surgery is the right call for your child, and what does realistic improvement look like? Ask about rehabilitation, follow-up, and what happens if things don’t go as expected. Don’t leave without a clear picture of the day of surgery and who to contact if something concerns you afterwards.
How do I know if a CP surgeon has enough experience?
Ask directly. How many procedures of this type have you performed? A surgeon who focuses on CP spasticity will typically have hundreds of cases. Ask whether you can speak to families of past patients. Ask what their complication rate has been. Confidence in specific numbers is a better sign than general reassurance.
What questions should I ask about rehabilitation after CP surgery?
Ask who designs the program and how specific it is to your child’s surgery. Ask when rehabilitation can begin. Ask whether you need a local physiotherapist or whether the program works for home use. Ask how progress is monitored and what happens if your child isn’t responding as expected. The rehabilitation is where surgical benefit becomes functional improvement, so it deserves as much attention as the surgery itself.
What questions should I ask about surgical risks?
Ask specifically what their complication rate is for this procedure, based on their own cases. Ask what the most common problems are and how they’re managed. Ask what signs would require urgent attention after you get home, and who you contact if that happens. A surgeon should give you specific numbers, not just reassurances.
How should I evaluate the surgeon’s answers during a consultation?
Specific answers are a good sign. A surgeon who can quote their complication rate, describe what realistic outcomes look like for a child like yours, and explain the rehabilitation clearly is demonstrating real depth. Generic reassurances deserve follow-up questions. A good surgeon won’t promise particular outcomes, but they should be able to say what they typically see and why your child fits that picture.
What questions matter most for families travelling internationally for CP surgery?
Ask how long you need to stay near the clinic. Ask when flying is safe. Ask how follow-up works for families abroad, and how quickly the clinic responds to questions between appointments. Ask what happens if a problem comes up after you’re home. Distance shouldn’t mean reduced support, and a clinic with real international experience will have clear answers to all of these.
Should I ask for a second opinion before CP surgery?
Yes, particularly if you’re uncertain. A confident surgeon won’t be offended. Getting another CP specialist’s view on your child’s candidacy and expected outcomes is reasonable practice for a decision of this size. Compare not which surgeon is more reassuring, but which gives you more specific, consistent, honest answers to the same questions.
References
- Novak I, et al. (2020). “State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019.” Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. PubMed ↗
- Graham HK, et al. (2016). “Cerebral palsy.” Nature Reviews Disease Primers. PubMed ↗
- Morgan C, et al. (2016). “Early intervention for children aged 0–2 years with or at high risk of cerebral palsy.” Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. PubMed ↗