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THE MEDICAL STUDENT'S GUIDE TO PM&R
What diseases does a physiatrist treat?
Physiatrists primarily treat conditions of the bones, muscles, joints, and central/peripheral nervous system that affect a person's ability to function.
A physiatrist is trained to manage a variety of disorders/diseases but practitioners often will specialize. Because of the broad spectrum of conditions treated and the comprehensive nature of their training, physiatrists are uniquely-positioned to adapt to new technologies and changing trends in health care.
Areas of focus include:
Neurorehabilitation:
- Examples: Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease
Pain medicine:
- Examples: Chronic Pain Management, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (previously named Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), Back Pain, Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Musculoskeletal care:
- Examples: Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Back Pain and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Sports injuries:
- Examples: Achilles Tendonitis, IT Band Syndrome, Turf Toe, Medial & Lateral Epicondylitis, DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis, Rotator Cuff Pathology, Acromioclavicular Separation, Biceps Tendonitis, Stress Fractures, Concussion
Post-operative care:
- Examples: Joint Replacement, Organ Transplantation, Left-Ventricular Assistive Devices, Cardiac / Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pediatric functional and developmental disorders:
- Examples: Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome
Specialized rehabilitation:
- Examples: Fine Arts (music, dance, vocal), Cancer, Cardiac, Pulmonary, Family Training (for home care), Pelvic Pain, Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Palliative Care
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