 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), or physiatry, deals with functional restoration of a person affected by physical disability. A physician who has completed training in this field is referred to as a physiatrist. Physiatrists specialize in restoring optimal function to people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues, and nervous system (such as stroke patients).
Physical medicine and rehabilitation involves the management of disorders that alter the function and performance of the patient. Emphasis is placed on the optimization of function through the combined use of medications, physical modalities, physical training with therapeutic exercise, movement & activities modification, adaptive equipments and assistive device, orthotics (braces), prosthesis, and experiential training approaches.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physicians may also perform electrodiagnostics which are used to provide nervous system functional information for diagnosis and / or prognosis for various neuromuscular disorders. The common electrodiagnostic tests performed by physiatrists are nerve conduction velocity studies (NCVs) and needle electromyographes (EMGs). The nerve conduction velocity study involves electrical stimulation to peripheral nerves and the nerves' responses are measured such as onset latency, amplitude and conduction velocity. Needle electromyography requires needle electrode insertion into the examined muscles to detect the electrical potential generated from muscle fibers. Abnormal electrical potentials such as fibrillation potential or positive sharp wave detected by EMG needle indicates the presence of muscle fibers that lost the nerve supply.
The aim of treatment is to maximize the ability of the person to function optimally within the limitations placed upon them by a disease process for which there is no known cure. The emphasis is not on the full restoration to the premorbid level of function, but rather the optimization of the quality of life for those who may not be able to achieve full restoration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
