Muscle-tendon unit surgery for correction of deformities and movement dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is fairly complicated. An understanding of basic muscle-tendon unit properties and their adaptation to both CP and surgery are important to develop advances in this field. In this review, we provide information to therapists, surgeons, and scientists regarding the short- and long-term adaptations of the muscle-tendon unit. Surgical releases, lengthening, and transpositions are discussed, as are some of the tissue, cellular, and molecular adaptations. What this paper adds Muscle strength, tone, and control must be considered in surgical interventions for cerebral palsy (CP). Muscle-tendon unit lengthening causes significant and lasting weakness requiring prolonged rehabilitation. Sarcomere length increases in CP muscle may be one of the underlying causes of muscle weakness. Muscle satellite cells are decreased and epigenetically modified in a way that may limit muscle growth in CP.
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