Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry)
What Is a Physiatrist? Pediatric physiatrists, also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation
physicians, are medical doctors who specialize in the rehabilitation care
and medical management of children with conditions that impact their neurologic,
muscular and/or skeletal systems such as cerebral palsy, brain injury,
spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders, musculoskeletal
conditions and chronic pain. They understand how cognitive and physical
disabilities affect growth and development and they work with patients
and families by leading a comprehensive rehabilitation team to develop
and direct individualized treatment. Their main objectives are to restore
or improve function (such as walking) and maximize quality of life (for
example, decrease pain).
About the Physiatry Team Children's Specialized Hospital, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital, employs
four board certified physiatrists and with about only 250 in the country,
this makes us one of the largest programs in the country. Not only are
we improving your access to care but under the coordination of our physiatrists,
your child will receive the comprehensive care they need all in one place.
These services include:
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech and language therapy
Feeding therapy
Neurology
Developmental pediatrics
Psychiatry
Psychology
Orthopedics
We also work closely with our team of social workers to help you get the
access to medical care, therapies, transportation and equipment that you
and your child may need.
Conditions Treated Our physiatrists diagnose, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication,
and perform procedures for conditions including:
Brain or spinal cord injuries or problems
Bracing, wheelchair, or other equipment needs
Cerebral palsy
Developmental delays
Difficulty with walking (toe walking, intoeing) or other functional tasks
such as putting clothes on
Excessive drooling, jaw clenching, or open mouth posture
Genetic disorders
Hypotonia/floppy muscles
Muscle, bone, joint or nerve pain (knee pain, elbow pain)
Spasticity/tight muscles
They also provide evaluations for therapy, bracing, wheelchair, and equipment
needs. In addition, they are able to perform botulinum toxin and alcohol
nerve block injections, intrathecal baclofen pump management, and electromyography
and nerve conduction studies (EMG-NCS).
Unique Programs Center for Cerebral Palsy
The Center for Cerebral Palsy at Children's Specialized Hospital offers comprehensive multidisciplinary care for patients with cerebral
palsy and other neuromuscular conditions. The goals of the center is to
ensure that children with cerebral palsy receive all the medical and therapy
services they need to improve function and reach their full potential.
To learn more, contact
CP@childrens-specialized.org .
Inpatient Chronic Pain Management Program
The Chronic Pain Management Program at Children's Specialized Hospital promotes the wellness of adolescents and young adults ages 11 to 21 years
old, with chronic pain who continue to have significant pain and difficulties
with daily function despite a period of consistent outpatient therapies.
If you or your child is interested in this program, please contact Laura
Valentino to schedule and evaluation:
LValentino@childrens-specialized.org or
732-258-7150 .
Orthopedic Clinic
For some patients with complex physical disabilities, therapy and physiatry
may not be enough to reach their full potential and an orthopedic surgery
consultation may be necessary. Dr. Alice Chu will be onsite at our Mountainside
location twice a month to evaluate those needs. Dr. Chu is uniquely trained
in pediatric orthopedics and plastics hand surgery. Her specialties include:
club foot; pediatric orthopedics/fractures; peripheral nerves; and upper
extremities.
Learn more about Dr. Alice Chu . To schedule an appointment, call
888-244-5373 .
Additional Information
Physiatry from a Parent's Perspective
Children's Specialized Hospital's Family Faculty Member, Linda Waddell,
shares her personal experience with Physiatry.
VIDEO
To schedule an appointment, call
888-244-5373 or
click here .
