PM&R physicians diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and the musculoskeletal system. They provide treatment and rehabilitation options that reflect the unique needs, abilities and objectives of each patient.

The primary goal of PM&R is to help facilitate a patient's journey from an acute medical event such as a limb loss, stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurologic disease or severe multi-trauma, back to best-case function in the community.

Meet Our Team

Successful rehabilitation requires strong collaboration across multiple teams - our PM&R providers work closely with other medical specialty providers and various rehabilitation specialties providing optimal and coordinate care. 

Our Services

Neurological Rehabilitation

Our Neurological Rehabilitation program aims to help those affected by a disease or injury to an individual's neurological system. Our physicians are specialists in the rehabilitation of neurological conditions such as stroke, spinal cord disease/trauma and brain injury. 

Our physicians are part of a greater team consisting of neurologists, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists and case management services. With our team-based approach, our goal is to optimize your physical and cognitive well-being so that you can achieve the highest level of independence. Some of the conditions we manage include:

• Stroke
• Spinal Cord disease or injury
• Moderate to severe brain injury
• spasticity (muscle stiffness)
• Peripheral nerve disease (neuropathy)

Services offered include:

• Coordination and care transition of rehabilitation deficits
• Rehab therapy prescription and management (PT, OT, SLP)
• Orthotic and prosthetic device evaluation and prescription
• Assistive device evaluation and prescription (wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.)
• Wheelchair evaluations for fitting, seating and equipment recommendations
• Community resource facilitation

Electrodiagnostic (EMG) Lab

Patients referred for an electrodiagnostic study have symptoms attributed to injury or disease to nerves and muscles. The most common symptoms evaluated are numbness, tingling, pain and weakness of the arms, legs or face. 

Amputee Care

If you are faced with an amputation, you’re probably feeling a wide range of emotions and have many questions and concerns. We understand that this is a life-changing event. We are here to help you. Our amputation management program provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary care of patients with amputations.

 Services include:

• Consultation and education both before and after amputation surgeries
• After amputation care includes:
  • Education to optimize medical and physical function which includes prevention of contractures, limb edema management, skin complications, and expectations for recovery
  • Evaluating and monitoring physical and occupational therapy needs
  • Assessing need for an assistive device or durable medical equipment (DME)
  • At clinic visits the doctor works on site with a Prosthetist for customized prosthesis design and fit and gait evaluation
  • Monitoring and treatment of related issues such as phantom pain, neuromas, etc.
  • Helping connect with community resources

FirstSteps Prosthesis Training Program

Once you have recovered from your surgery and you have your prosthetics, it's time to start thinking about relearning how to do the things you enjoy with your new prosthetic limb. FirstHealth FirstSteps is a comprehensive, structured program for people who have had amputations will help you:

• Safely and confidently use your new limb
• Use your prosthesis to its fullest potential
• Care for yourself and your prosthesis
• Troubleshoot issues and who to call for assistance

About FirstHealth FirstSteps

Learning the right way to use your prosthesis with a structured program will help you reach your full potential with your new limb. There are three ways to complete FirstSteps:

• Inpatient – As an admitted patient in FirstHealth Rehabilitation Hospital
• Outpatient – At one of FirstHealths Rehab’s participating outpatient practices
• Home Health – In your home

Which way is best for you?

An evaluation with a FirstHealth physical therapist and occupational therapist as well as an insurance plan review will determine which FirstSteps option is best.

Spasticity Management

Spasticity is a condition in which you experience an abnormal increase in muscle tone due to a central nervous system disease. If you have been diagnosed with spasticity, you may experience muscle stiffness, pain, spasms, weakness, contracture, sleeplessness and fatigue. Spasticity can also impact your mobility and activities of daily living.

PM&R spasticity services can help reduce the debilitating effects of spasticity, whether the condition is new or chronic. Most common treatments for spasticity include oral medications and injections, however depending on the severity of your spasticity, your doctor may recommend additional physical rehabilitation.

Spasticity is a condition in which you experience an abnormal increase in muscle tone due to a central nervous system disease. Spasticity can be seen in conditions like:

• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Stroke
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Cerebral Palsy

If you have been diagnosed with spasticity, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Abnormal increase in muscle tone that may be described as stiff, tight or painful
• Difficulty moving joints or relaxing your muscles
• Limited or loss of range of motion
• Contractures
• Overactive reflexes
• Muscle spasms or abnormal movements

A combination of treatments for spasticity provide the most benefit to patients for relief from symptoms and an increase in independent activities.

Oral Antispasticity Medication

Oral medications to treat spasticity are commonly used for those suffering from severe forms of spasticity, such as an inability to stretch or lengthen the muscles and increased muscle tightness.

Injections for Spasticity

For patients not suffering from total spasticity and only one or a few limbs are affected, injections typically provide the most benefit. In addition to having fewer side effects than oral medication, injections have proven effective for many patients in the treatment of spasticity.  Injections improve the ability to stretch, decrease muscle pain and improve gait and range of motion.

Physical Rehabilitation

• Physical therapy stretching and strengthening exercises focusing on large muscle groups to improve range of motion and mobility.
• Occupational therapy exercises that focus on small muscle groups to improve strength and coordination allowing for improved performance of daily tasks.
• Speech therapy can also be done by patients whose spasticity has affected their speech.
• Casting or bracing prevents involuntary spasms and reduces tightening of the muscles.

Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Management

Bladder and bowel dysfunction commonly affect patients with neurologic conditions such as spinal cord injury (SCI) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Symptoms associated with neurogenic bladder and bowel can lead to significant medical complications and social difficulties with dramatic adverse impact on the patients’ quality of life.

The goals of bladder and bowel management are to prevent complications. The type of voiding dysfunction, level of injury, and patient's ability to perform self-care, dressing and transfers are considered in designing management program.