Principles of orthopedic surgery on patients with cerebral palsy and spasticity include the following:

• Single event, multilevel surgery
• Delay the operation for as long as possible, preferably until a child is at least 6 years old.
• Use spasticity management tools as an adjuvant to surgical intervention. 

A variety of surgical techniques can be used to help correct the static and dynamic defects that occur in the patient with cerebral palsy and spasticity. These include:

• Procedures to lengthen, transfer, or divide tendons
• Relocate joints
• Fuse joints
• Rotate bones
• Transect specific nerves, correct bony abnormalities, and release contracted skin.