Physiatrists are also known as physical medicine and
rehabilitation physicians. The American Board of Medical Specialties approved
physiatry in 1947 after second world war wherein physiatrists provided
excellent medical support to soldiers by leveraging immediate aid to those who
suffered musculoskeletal injuries. In simple terms, a physiatrist is an expert
in non-surgical musculoskeletal disabilities and neuromuscular disorders. Do
you suffer from muscular pain? Do weather conditions hamper the mobility of
your muscles? A physiatrist can help you regain the lost strength.
What does a Physiatrist
do?
The rehabilitation physicians specialize in pediatrics,
spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, nonoperative treatment of
bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and other physical disorders. They
diagnose and treat medical conditions with the aid of several methods like
medications, physical therapies, nerve conduction testing, electromyography and
other minimally invasive procedures such as ultrasound guided injections of the
joints, tendons & ligaments and fluoroscopic guided epidural injections to
reinstitute motion of the affected part. A physiatrist also supervises the
rehabilitation team, physical & occupational therapists and other
healthcare professionals circumscribing under his/her area.
Conditions treated by
a Physiatrist
The scope of conditions prescribed by a physiatrist
primarily include disorders ranging from musculoskeletal to spine and sports
injuries. Just to name a few, the following conditions are treated by a
physiatrist:
·
Chronic joint pain
·
Chronic back pain
·
Sports injuries
·
Tendonitis
·
Osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint
diseases
·
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, rotator cuff
problems
·
Nerve entrapments (example, carpal tunnel)
·
Acute pain in joints or back
·
Spine injuries
Treatments performed
by a Physiatrist
The role of a rehabilitation physician involves a
comprehensive diagnosis of disorders and treatment of those diseases using
customized medications, injections and therapies. There are two standard
rehabilitation therapies which a specialist uses- physical therapy and
occupational therapy. A specialist also uses supporting devices when needed
(like orthotics which is used in treating neuromuscular and skeletal
disorders). Non-operative and minimally invasive procedures used by a
physiatrist includes:
·
Joint and bursa injections
·
Ultrasound-guided injections
·
Fluoroscopic or X-ray guided epidural injections
·
Facet joint injections
·
Radiofrequency denervation for back and neck
pain
·
Sacroiliac joint injections
·
Trigger point injections
·
Prolotherapy, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and
stem cell therapy
Treatment by
Professionals
If you are suffering from any of the conditions listed in
above sections or spine disorders, then you should seek immediate consultation
from an expert physiatrist. For spine treatment in San Antonio, the South Texas
Spinal Clinic, P.A. is one of the recommended clinics. They encompass the
latest technology medical procedures to diagnose and treat the underlying
disorders. Book an appointment now!
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