The ideal candidates are purely spastic with the majority of their involvement in the legs. Children born prematurely tend to fit into the ideal category most commonly. The above are not absolute criteria since many children that do not meet the criteria on the slide may still respond positively to the procedure. Rhizotomy typically does not affect spinal cord origin spasticity or dyskinesias (eg, athetosis, rigidity).

If the patient has had previous aggressive tendon releases or lengthening, excess weakness can occur and may not be recoverable. Trunk control can decrease temporarily and patients who undergo the procedure with impaired trunk control may worsen after the intervention.

Patients with poor selective motor control may also not benefit.