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Arthroplasty (Hip Arthroplasty, Joint Arthroplasty, Knee Arthroplasty, Shoulder Arthroplasty, Finger Arthroplasty, Joint Replacement Surgery) Procedure Overview What is arthroplasty? Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to restore the integrity and function of a joint. A joint can be restored by resurfacing the bones. An artificial joint (called a prosthesis) may also be used. Various types of arthritis may affect the joints. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is a loss of the cartilage or c...

Bone Densitometry (Bone Mineral Density [BMD] Test, Bone Density Test, Bone Mineral Content, Bone Absorptiometry) Procedure Overview What is Bone Densitometry? Bone densitometry is used to measure the bone mineral content and density. This measurement can indicate decreased bone mass, a condition in which bones are more brittle and more prone to break or fracture easily. Bone densitometry is used primarily to diagnose osteoporosis and to determine fracture risk. The testing procedure measures the bone d...

Hip Replacement Surgery Procedure (Total Hip Arthroplasty, Hip Arthroplasty, Total Hip Replacement, Hip Replacement) Procedure Overview What is a hip replacement surgery? Hip replacement, also called arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged hip with a prosthesis (an artificial joint). This surgery may be considered following a hip fracture (breaking of the bone) or for someone who has severe arthritis. Various types of arthritis may affect the hip joint. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative ...

Knee Ligament Repair (ACL Repair, ACL Reconstruction, PCL Repair, PCL Reconstruction, MCL Repair, MCL Reconstruction, LCL Repair, LCL Reconstruction) Procedure Overview What is knee ligament repair? Ligaments are bands of tough, elastic connective tissue that surround a joint to give support and limit the joint's movement. When ligaments are damaged, the knee joint becomes unstable. The ligament damage often occurs from a sports injury. A torn ligament severely limits knee movement, resulting in a perso...

Knee Replacement Surgery Procedure (Total Knee Arthroplasty, Knee Arthroplasty, Total Knee Replacement, Knee Replacement) Procedure Overview What is a knee replacement surgery? Knee replacement, also called arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to resurface a knee damaged by arthritis. Metal and plastic parts are used to cap the ends of the bones that form the knee joint, along with the kneecap. This surgery may be considered for someone who has severe arthritis or a severe knee injury. Various types of...

Rotator Cuff Repair (Rotator Cuff Surgery, Shoulder Surgery) Procedure Overview What is rotator cuff repair? The rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place. It is one of the most important parts of the shoulder. The rotator cuff allows a person to lift his/her arm and reach up. An injury to the rotator cuff, such as a tear, may happen suddenly when falling on an outstretched hand or develop over time due to repetitive activities. Rotator cuff degeneration and tears may ...

Acquired Brain Injury What is acquired brain injury? Acquired brain injury (ABI) occurs when a sudden, external, physical assault damages the brain. It is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. ABI is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that occur to the brain. The damage can be focal (confined to one area of the brain) or diffuse (occurs in more than one area of the brain). The severity of a brain injury can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury that...

Amputation What is an amputation? Amputation is an acquired condition that results in the loss of a limb, usually from injury, disease, or surgery. Congenital (present at birth) limb deficiency occurs when an infant is born without part or all of a limb. In the US, 82 percent of amputations are due to vascular disease. Nearly 70 percent of amputations due to trauma involve the upper limbs. About 2 million individuals in the US are living with a loss of a limb, with more than 185,000 amputations performe...

Audiologist What is an audiologist? Clinical audiologists are healthcare professionals who measure and evaluate a person's ability to hear sounds, and specialize in the treatment of people with hearing disorders. Audiologists often study and provide guidance for patients and families on the following topics: how language is learned and spoken the anatomy of the human ear, brain, and nerves causes of hearing loss aural rehabilitation - rehabilitation relating to the ear and hearing the use of hearing aid...

Back and Neck Pain What is low back pain? Low back pain can range from mild, dull, annoying pain, to persistent, severe, disabling pain in the lower back. Pain in the lower back can restrict mobility and interfere with normal functioning. What is neck pain? Neck pain is pain that occurs in the area of the seven cervical vertebrae in the neck area. Because of its location and range of motion, the neck is often left unprotected and subject to injury. Pain in the back or neck area can be acute, which comes...

Burns What are burns? Burns are a type of traumatic injury caused by thermal, electrical, chemical, or electromagnetic energy. Smoking and open flame are the leading causes of burn injury for older adults, while scalding is the leading cause of burn injury for children. Both infants and the elderly are at the greatest risk for burn injury. What are the different types of burns? A burn injury usually results from an energy transfer to the body. There are many types of burns caused by thermal, radiation, ...

Cancer Rehabilitation What is cancer rehabilitation? Cancer rehabilitation is a physician-supervised program for people who have undergone treatment for cancer, and designed to help patients return to activities of daily living. People who have survived cancer may have physical, emotional, and social issues that affect their quality of life, no matter what kind of cancer they have been treated for. Cancer rehabilitation programs can often improve function, reduce pain, and improve the well-being of canc...

Chaplain Chaplains serve in many hospital settings, and some are assigned to rehabilitation units. They act as spiritual counselors to help patients, families, and the healthcare staff members: through periods of crisis. reaffirm their spiritual beliefs. maintain or establish relationships with a church or house of worship. make daily rounds and on-call 24 hours a day pastoral services. Chaplains may be ordained ministers or priests, or may have attended a chaplaincy or pastoral care program through a u...

Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit /CARF Choosing a rehabilitation facility: Rehabilitation services are provided in many different places, including the following: acute care and rehabilitation hospitals subacute facilities long-term care facilities in the home by home health agencies hospitals inpatient rehabilitation centers outpatient rehabilitation centers community health settings private practice schools industrial health centers Veterans Affairs medical centers military health care centers When inve...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? COPD is a term that refers to a group of lung diseases that can interfere with normal breathing. It is estimated that more than 11.6 million Americans suffer from COPD. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the US. What are the different types of COPD? The two most common conditions of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Some physicians agree that asthma should be classified as a chronic obstructive p...

Clinical Social Worker What is a clinical social worker? A clinical social worker is a professional who helps to assess and alleviate problems related to personal, family, or social situations. Clinical social workers are a vital part of the rehabilitation multidisciplinary team, and help provide support for the patient and family, coordinate discharge planning and insurance benefits, and assist with financial problems and family conflicts. Most clinical social workers have earned at least a Master's de...

Community Re-Entry One of the main goals of rehabilitation is to prepare the patient for life after discharge. This includes the following: adapting to living with a disability promoting independence planning for a safe and accessible environment Community re-entry plans are individualized and are based on the patient's physical abilities and needs. Both the patient and family should be involved in planning re-entry into the community. Many times, adjustments, a transitional period, and modifications ne...

Conditions Commonly Treated By Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Acquired Brain Injury Arthritis Burns Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic Pain Back and Neck Pain Multiple Sclerosis Spinal Cord Injury Stroke Osteoporosis Amputation Repetitive Motion Injury Sports-Related Injuries

Effects of Rehabilitation on the Family The patient's family plays a vital part in the rehabilitation process. One of the most important factors in the patient's recovery is family involvement and support. What are the possible effects of disability on the family? Family members are affected by the patient's disability, and, many times, become co-managers of the patient's care. They may experience many changes as a result of the patient's disability. Family members often join the patient in a period of ...

Glossary - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A [return to top] accessory movement - joint movements that cannot be performed voluntarily or in isolation by the patient. Achilles tendonitis - Inflammation of the Achilles tendon. activities of daily living (ADLs) - personal care activities necessary for everyday living, such as eating, bathing, groo...

Topic Index Overview of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Statistics of Disability PM&R Treatment Team Specialized Areas of Rehabilitation Conditions Commonly Treated By PM&R Effects of Rehabilitation on the Family Community Re-Entry Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit / CARF Glossary Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that involves the process of restoring lost abilities for a person who has been disabled as a result of dise...

Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is an unpredictable condition that can be relatively benign, disabling, or devastating. Some individuals with MS may be mildly affected, while others may lose their ability to write, speak, or walk when communication between the brain and other parts of the body becomes disrupted. What causes multiple sclerosis? There are many possible causes of MS, including v...

Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation What is musculoskeletal rehabilitation? A musculoskeletal rehabilitation program is a physician-supervised program designed for people with impairments or disabilities due to disease, disorders, or trauma to the muscles or bones. Musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs can often improve functional capacity, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient. What conditions can benefit from musculoskeletal rehabilitation? Some of the conditions that may benefit fro...

Neurological Rehabilitation What is neurological rehabilitation? Neurological rehabilitation is a physician-supervised program designed for people with diseases, trauma, or disorders of the nervous system. Neurological rehabilitation can often improve function, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient. What conditions can benefit from neurological rehabilitation? Injuries, infections, degenerative diseases, structural defects, tumors, and disorders in the circulatory system can impair ...

Occupational Therapist What is an occupational therapist? Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people with physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives. An occupational therapist, or OT, is part of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team and often directs the following types of care: evaluates children with developmental or neuromuscular problems and helps plan treatments that will help them grow mentally, socially, and phy...

Online Resources - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. This page contai...

Orthotist and Prosthetist What is an orthotist? An orthotist is a healthcare professional who makes and fits braces and splints (orthoses) for patients who need added support for body parts that have been weakened by injury, disease, or disorders of the nerves, muscles, or bones. They work under a physician's orders to adapt purchased braces or create custom-designed braces. Braces are often named for the body part they support, such as: An AFO brace is an ankle-foot orthosis. A KAFO brace is a knee-ank...

Overview of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM and R) What is PM&R? Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that involves the process of restoring function for a person who has been disabled as a result of a disease, disorder, or injury. Physiatry provides integrated, multidisciplinary care aimed at recovery of the whole person - by addressing the individual's physical, emotional, medical, vocational, and social needs. A physician who sp...

Overview of the PM and R Treatment Team What specialists make up the PM&R treatment team? A rehabilitation program is specifically designed for each individual depending on the injury, disorder, or illness. A multidisciplinary team approach for care and service is the basis of rehabilitation treatment. Multidisciplinary refers to the fact that many different disciplines work together toward a common goal. The team is usually directed by a physiatrist, with other specialists playing important roles i...

Patient and Family The patient and family as rehabilitation team members: The patient and family are the most important members of the rehabilitation team. It is vitally important that open and honest communication takes place between the patient, family, and team members to assure the success of the rehabilitation program. Patient and family rights: The patient and family are entitled to certain rights during the rehabilitation process, that may include the following: knowledge of the disability and re...

Physiatrist What is physiatry? Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is also called physiatry - a medical specialty that deals with the evaluation and treatment of patients with a disease, disorder, or injury that impairs normal function. What is a physiatrist? The physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation is called a physiatrist. Physiatrists complete four years of medical school, plus an additional four years of residency training. Many physiatrists complete fellowshi...

Physical Therapist What is a physical therapist? Physical therapy is the health profession that focuses on the evaluation, management, and prevention of disorders of human motion. Physical therapists, or PTs, are important members of the rehabilitation team. They evaluate and provide treatment for persons with health problems and disabilities resulting from injury, disease, overuse of muscles or tendons, pain, or loss of a body part. Physical therapy treatments and services focus on restoring the indivi...

PM and R Treatment Team There are many specialists on the physical medicine and rehabilitation healthcare team. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Overview of the PM&R Treatment Team Patient and Family Physiatrist Rehabilitation Nurse Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Speech / Language Pathologist Audiologist Clinical Social Worker Chaplain Recreational Therapist Registered Dietitian Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Psychiatrist Respirato...

Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Psychiatrist What is a psychologist? Psychologists work with the rehabilitation team to help meet the emotional, behavioral, and psychological needs of the patient and family. They are not medical doctors, but are Master's prepared, with many having earned a PhD. Psychologists help: counsel patients and families during times of stress, grief, and loss. identify strengths and behaviors that can help the patient succeed in rehabilitation. assess and treat for cognitive...

Pulmonary Rehabilitation What is pulmonary rehabilitation? Pulmonary rehabilitation is a physician-supervised program for people who have chronic lung diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, or lung tumors. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs can often improve function, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of patients. The pulmonary rehabilitation team: Pulmonary rehabilitation programs can be conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis. ...

Recreation Therapist What is a recreational therapist? Recreation therapy is a planned, organized, and therapeutic recreation program designed to help patients develop social skills and learn to participate in leisure group activities. The focus of recreational rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities involves the following: involving the patient in leisure activities developing or restore social functions preventing loss of physical capacities Programs are designed to meet the patients' cap...

Registered Dietitian Registered dietitians, or nutritionists, assess and provide for the nutritional needs of the patient with a disability. They assist the physician and provide a treatment plan which may include the following: ideal body weight, caloric, and dietary needs foods that help facilitate swallowing special diets dietary modifications that need to be made as a result of the disability tube feeding formulas and schedules for patients who are unable to swallow patient and family education on n...

Rehabilitation Case Manager What is a rehabilitation case manager? A rehabilitation case manager is a trained professional who helps to plan, organize, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate services and resources for a rehabilitation patient. Case managers usually do not provide actual, direct, patient care, but may work either as part of the rehabilitation team (internal case manager) or for the patient's insurance company (external case manager). A case manager is responsible for ensuring quality and cost...

Rehabilitation Nurse What is a rehabilitation nurse? The rehabilitation nurse is a nurse who specializes in assisting persons with disabilities and chronic illness to attain optimal function, health, and adapt to an altered lifestyle. Rehabilitation nurses assist patients in their move toward independence by setting realistic goals and treatment plans. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team and often coordinate patient care and team activities. Rehabilitation nurses may practice in a variety of s...

Repetitive Motion Injury What is a repetitive motion injury (repetitive stress injury)? Repetitive motion injuries, also called repetitive stress injuries, are temporary or permanent injuries to muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons caused by performing the same motion over and over again. A common repetitive motion injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. This disorder occurs when the median nerve, which travels from the forearm to the hand through a "tunnel" in the wrist, is compressed by swollen, inflamed...

Respiratory Therapist What is a respiratory therapist? Respiratory therapists are specially trained healthcare professionals who help treat and restore function for patients with airway and breathing problems. They often assess and treat patients with the following conditions: tracheostomy tubes (a special type of breathing tube for patients unable to breathe through their mouth and nose) and oxygen therapy ventilators (machines that breathe for patients with certain conditions, such as spinal cord inju...

Specialized Areas of Rehabilitation There are many different specialized areas of rehabilitation - each with individual goals and approaches to care. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Cardiac Rehabilitation Pulmonary Rehabilitation Cancer Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Neurological Rehabilitation

Speech / Language Pathologist What is a speech/language pathologist? Speech/language pathologists specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating people with communication problems that result from disability, surgery, or developmental disorders. They are also instrumental in preventing disorders related to speech, language, cognitive communication, voice, and fluency. This includes both receptive (understanding speech) and expressive (speaking) communication problems. They also evaluate and treat peo...

Spinal Cord Injury What is an acute spinal cord injury? Click Image to Enlarge The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is due to a traumatic injury that can either result in a bruise (also called a contusion), a partial tear, or a complete tear (called a transection) in the spinal cord. About 250,000 to 400,000 individuals in the US have a spinal cord injury. About 60 percent of these cases are 30 years old or...

Sports-Related Injuries Most sports injuries are due to either trauma or overuse of muscles or joints. The majority are caused by minor trauma involving muscles, ligaments, or tendons including: contusions (bruises) sprains strains The most commonly sprained or strained joint is the ankle. What is a contusion? A contusion (bruise) is an injury to the soft tissue often produced by a blunt force such as a kick, fall, or blow. The immediate result will be pain, swelling, and discoloration. What is a sprain...

Statistics of Disability According to the US Department of Commerce, a person has a disability when he/she has difficulty with any of the following: normal body functions, such as seeing, hearing, talking, or walking activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing or dressing certain expected roles, such as doing housework, schoolwork, or working at a job performing usual activities, such as driving or taking a bus Statistics related to disability: Approximately 54 million people in the US have some ...

Stroke What is stroke? Stroke, also called brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Disruption in blood flow is caused when either a blood clot blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain (ischemic stroke), or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into surrounding tissues (hemorrhagic stroke). The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function. Even a brief interruption in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells begin to di...

Topic Index - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Home Overview of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Statistics of Disability PM&R Treatment Team Overview of the PM&R Treatment Team Patient and Family Physiatrist Rehabilitation Nurse Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Speech / Language Pathologist Audiologist Clinical Social Worker Chaplain Recreational Therapist Registered Dietitian Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Psychiatrist Resp...

Vocational Counselor What is a vocational counselor? Vocational rehabilitation counselors assist people with disabilities in planning careers, and finding and keeping satisfying jobs. They evaluate the patient for the following: education and job training history prior to the disability skills and training potential since the disability personal interest and motivation financial needs progress after job placement Vocational counselors educate disabled patients about their rights and protection based on ...

COPD: Tips for Easier Dressing When you have COPD, even getting dressed can sometimes seem like a challenge. These pointers can help: Select clothes that don’t restrict your breathing. Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. Try wearing drawstring pants instead of pants with a tight waistband or belt. Women can try wearing a soft sports bra or camisole instead of a regular bra. Avoid socks or pantyhose with elastic bands that could restrict the flow of blood in your legs. Don’t wear anything that’s t...

Overcoming Exercise Barriers With COPD Even though many people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) want to exercise, one of the most difficult tasks is getting over barriers that keep them from being active. Here are some common reasons people don’t exercise. Are any of these true for you? If not, what are your reasons? Weigh them against the fact that exercise can help improve your quality of life. Reason: I get short of breath quickly. I can’t exercise long enough for it to do any good. ...

Understanding Pulmonary Rehabilitation COPD touches every part of your life. But pulmonary rehabilitation, or rehab, can help you manage the condition so that it has less of an impact. Rehab is based on a team approach and combines exercise, emotional support and education. You and your providers work together to create a treatment plan just for you. The payoff is increased control of your symptoms and improved function. And that makes it easier to take part in daily activities and enjoy a better qualit...

COPD: Finding the Hidden Joys of Exercise If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your health care team has probably told you that exercise can help improve or maintain your physical health. Doing breathing exercises and exercises such as walking, swimming and gentle bicycling can really make a difference. Exercise can help reduce COPD problems, such as shortness of breath and limits on your activity level. But that’s not all exercise is good for. Bonus benefits Here are some other bon...

Stroke Recovery Begins With Rehabilitation If someone you love has had a stroke—a blood vessel in the brain was blocked or damaged—you may wonder what lies ahead. A stroke can cause problems with speech, vision, memory, balance, or coordination. It can leave part of the body weakened or paralyzed, among other physical problems. Your loved one may have to relearn how to walk, talk or do daily activities. It may help to know that rehabilitation can help people regain life skills and learn new ways to do t...

Get Help to Get Around Most of us take walking for granted. But there's a good chance that at some point in your life you'll have trouble walking. The cause may be an injury, an illness, or recovery from surgery, but you're likely to need a cane, a walker, or some other mobility aid. These aids often provide support for people who are on the mend from surgery or an injury. Other walking problems stem from impaired balance - often because of neurological disorders such as a stroke or neuromuscular ailmen...

Getting the Most From Physical Therapy Physical therapists teach people recovering from surgery or with injuries, sprains or arthritis how to perform exercises that will help them gain strength and mobility and prevent recurring injury. For the treatment to be successful, however, patients have some responsibilities, as well. "First and foremost, you need to come to your therapy sessions motivated and with a positive attitude," says Michael Cibulka, P.T., O.C.S., spokesperson for the American Physical T...

Music as Therapy Most of us know music's effects in everyday life. But studies are demonstrating that music also can produce surprising results in medical settings. "We all intuitively know music makes us feel better," says Suzanne Hanser, Ed.D., a professor of music therapy. "Music is processed in so many different areas of the brain," she adds. You might hear the sound, decide it's loud, feel it's sad and unconsciously tap your toes to the beat. The song may recall special times ("That reminds me of t...