The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department (PM&R) at Iowa Orthopaedic Center, P.C. specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions that effect a persons ability to function in a normal capacity. Many musculoskeletal pain conditions, including back, neck and joint problems, may be managed over time through conservative treatment using a variety of pain modalities and customized programs to increase mobility, avoid surgery or repeat surgery, or as part of a rehabilitation plan following surgery.

Who Should See A Physiatrist?
Physiatrists treat people of all ability levels who have pain and/or functional limitations including those patients with;
• Sprains and strains
• Tendonitis and bursitis
• Arthritis
• Back and neck pain
• Sports injuries
• Nerve pain
• Workers Compensation injuries
• Chronic pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Stroke patients
• Amputees
• Surgical and Post-surgical patients

Our physiatrist’s have many different tools available to them to assist in accurately diagnosing a patient’s condition. They listen carefully to how patients describe their problem and perform a thorough physical examation. When necessary, our physiatrists utilize conventional radiologic tools such as x-ray, CT scan and MRI to assist with the diagnosis. A diagnostic nerve study test called an EMG (Electrodiagnostic) may also be performed to determine if a patient has sustained nerve damage and to diagnose diseases of the nerves and muscles.

Low Back
Over 80% of adult Americans will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives.This can result from overuse, injury or trauma to the spine such as lifting heavy objects in an awkward posture, slipping or falling, or having something hit or land on the spine. Also, occupations that require a lot of standing or walking on hard surfaces, or sitting for prolonged periods of time, can cause back pain. Many times those involved in recreational activities such as golfing and basketball will also experience back pain.

Risks that place people at a higher risk for developing back pain include:

• Not exercising regularly to keep the spine strengthened, conditioned and flexible
• Obesity
• Occupations that require heavy physical labor, or working with vibration (i.e., driving a truck, jack hammers)
• Smoking
• Family history of back pain and disease

Patients who have acute back pain will usually have a quicker resolution of their symptoms, than those individuals who have had chronic back pain for a longer period of time.For most patients it’s important to begin an exercise program including strengthening and stabilizing the spine, as well as increasing flexibility.

Many times a diagnostic evaluation is done that may include x-rays, MRI, CT, or a myelogram.

The goal of rehabilitation is to return the patient as soon as it is safely possible to normal activities.  Returning too soon may worsen the pain or cause further injury to the spine.Each individual’s pain, diagnosis, personal medical condition, and rehabilitation goals are different.Therefore, rehabilitation and recovery time varies between individuals. When patients are able to return to activities depends on how quickly their back pain resolves.

Once the rehabilitation phase is completed, patients are advised and educated on things that they can do to avoid reinjury and reduce recurrent episodes of back pain.

Arthritis
Arthritis occurs as a result of the natural process of aging as joints begin to lose cartilage. Arthritis can also develop as a secondary result of trauma that injures a joint. This is known as traumatic arthritis. Traumatic arthritis can can occur with or without surgery following the injury.Surgery may be recommended on an injured joint to reduce the pain and attempt to delay the onset of traumatic arthritis. As patients lose cartilage and arthritis begins to develop, they may experience severe limitations in activities that can affect their recreational and occupational activities.   

Arthritis can be painful and debilitating for many people. Joints most commonly affected by arthritis include the knees, hips, neck, shoulders, and hands. Patients with arthritis may have many symptoms including: pain in the affected joint (or joints as the arthritis progresses); swelling of the affected joints; limited and painful movement of the joint; enlargement of the bones around the arthritic joint; and possible weakness in the affected extremities causing difficulty when using that extremity.

Early intervention has a large role in both helping patients to cope with the pain of arthritis and slowing the progression of the disease.There are many treatment recommendations our physiatrists may offer patients to assist in living with, and treating arthritis.

You can be assured you’re receiving the highest quality of medical care, when you select the board certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians at Iowa Ortho. We know our patients trust us to provide a thorough evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan and rehabilitation goals that will reduce their pain, increase function, and return them to their normal activities and their families. If you, or someone you know, is suffering with chronic pain, don’t wait another minute…call 515-247-8400, or toll free 800-642-6381, and come see the experts at Iowa Ortho.