A 6-Year-Old Girl with Cerebral Palsy Undergoes Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy

A 6-year-old girl with cerebral palsy undergoes selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery.  The patient was born prematurely with a very low birth weight and had experienced periventricular cerebral white matter injury.  During the procedure, dorsal rootlets of lumbosacral spinal nerves are selectively severed, as shown in the image below: Which of the following is the most likely effect of this intervention in this patient's lower extremities?

A) Decreased muscle mass
B) Decreased muscle tone
C) Increased tendon reflexes
D) Muscle fasciculations
E) Muscle paralysis

Correct Answer:

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