Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialists focus on restoring function to those suffering from physical ailments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Also referred to as physiatrists, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialists aim to provide specialized treatment plans to help patients of all ages regain their quality of life. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation takes a multifaceted approach to evaluate each individual patient and determine how their current impairment(s) affect different aspects of their life. While Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialists may not completely eliminate a patient’s pain, physiatrists maximize physical function while greatly decreasing the patient’s pain and attempting to avoid surgery.
Should I See a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialist?
Do not confuse Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with physical therapy. Physiatrists have obtained their Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and have completed a residency program in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Unlike physical therapists, physiatrists can diagnose injuries or illnesses, prescribe medications and design the protocols used by physical therapists. While they may work together closely, the two fields remain quite different.
A patient should seek out treatment from a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialist if experiencing any of the following:
- Contemplating a surgery due to chronic pain
- Experiencing an injury or nerve damage that limits physical function and activity
- Suffering from chronic pain (e.g., back pain, neck pain, chronic pain caused by arthritis)
- Have a disability or illness that causes pain and limits physical function
Q&A with OrthoTexas Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialists: Dr. Gregory Powell & Dr. Aine McKenzie
What makes someone a good candidate to see a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician and when should they see an orthopedist?
McKenzie: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians, also known as physiatrists, treat a wide variety of disabling medical conditions non-surgically. Most orthopedists are surgeons. If an individual has a condition requiring surgery, then they should consult with an orthopedist.
What are some signs or symptoms that would make a patient a good candidate for an EMG?
McKenzie: Electrodiagnostic testing, also known as EMG, is a test performed by a PM&R physician in the office. This test is usually ordered when someone is showing signs or symptoms of a muscle or nerve disorder. These signs or symptoms may include pain, tingling, numbness or weakness of the extremities. An EMG can help diagnose muscle disorders, nerve disorders and disorders affecting the connection between nerves and muscles.
What is a rhizotomy?
Powell: A rhizotomy, also known as radiofrequency ablation, is often performed in the spine for the treatment of chronic pain from osteoarthritis or trauma. This is a non-operative technique that involves the use of no medications and can provide significant pain relief for certain conditions. This technique is also being used for the treatment of chronic knee pain in patients who have failed to respond to surgery.
What is an ESI?
Powell: An epidural steroid injection, or ESI, is commonly performed in the neck or low back for treatment of pain from a herniated disc or pinched nerve. This treatment can provide significant pain relief to allow a patient to avoid surgery and get back to activity. Recent research suggests that 80% of patients can demonstrate significant improvement in their pain through this technique.
What ages do you treat and what is your goal when treating patients?
McKenzie & Powell: Physiatrists treat a diverse age range including children, adolescents and adults. Our goal when treating patients is to provide high-quality non-operative diagnosis and treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions of the extremities or spine. We want to see our patients restore function and maintain a good quality of life.
What are the advantages in your practice of working with a large group of orthopedic surgeons?
Powell: One of the distinct advantages of practicing in a large group of orthopedic surgeons is the wide variety of subspecialists that we have. OrthoTexas has physicians who specialize in neck and spine, shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, hip and knees, foot and ankle, and sports medicine. This allows patients to be seen for all conditions within the practice for an integrated care experience.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation / Interventional Pain Management Specialties
Below you will find a series of procedures and treatments commonly performed by Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialists.
- Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection (CESI) Series
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Facet Injections
- Genicular Nerve Blocks
- Medial Branch Blocks (MBB)
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
- Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection (TFESI) Series
- Osteoporosis
- Joint Preservation
- Brachial Plexus Injuries
F.A.Q.
What Does Rehabilitation Mean When a Person Needs It After Surgery or an Injury?
A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist focuses on restoring function if you are suffering from physical ailments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons.
When Should I Consider Rehabilitation Treatment?
You should seek treatment if you are suffering from chronic pain of the back, neck or pain caused by arthritis, are planning to have surgery due to chronic pain, if you are experiencing an injury or nerve damage that limits physical activity or have a disability or illness that causes pain and limits physical function.
What Are the Benefits of PM&R?
The primary goal of PM&R is to improve long-term function and enhance the patient’s ability to perform daily activities. They also focus on prevention, aiming to reduce the risk of complications and further deterioration in patients’ conditions. PM&R often involves collaboration with other health care professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists and orthopedic surgeons, to provide comprehensive care.