Overview
According to the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation:
"Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also referred to as physiatry, is a medical specialty concerned with diagnosis, evaluation, and management of persons of all ages with physical and/or cognitive impairment and disability."
Some of the conditions we treat:
- Motor neuron disease
- Brain injuries including sports concussion
- Traumatic injuries and amputation
- Spina bifida
- Spinal cord injury
- Cerebral palsy
- Musculoskeletal pain and injuries
- Back pain and dysfunction
Comorbidities, also called co-impairments, are conditions or disorders occurring at the same time or are a result of a disease, trauma, or disorder. These conditions can be physical or behavioral in nature such as:
- Spasticity as a result of brain or spinal injury or disease
- Severe weakness or neurological problems after transplant surgery
- Neurogenic bladder resulting from injury or a chronic condition
- Division of General and Neuro Rehabilitation
The Department of PM&R provides physician services at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute at Mercy and its inpatient rehab facilities, and numerous outpatient clinics throughout western Pennsylvania. Read more >
- Division of Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology
Working side by side with the physiatrist is the neuropsychologist who is trained in the integration of brain and behavioral functioning to better understand impairments related to disabilities and injuries. They provide both inpatient and outpatient neuropsychological assessment services, and also provide rehabilitation psychology services on our inpatient units at the UPMC RI. Read more >>
- Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
Children experience trauma and disease, both acute and chronic, which require the special skills of our physiatrists. Division physiatrists specialize in a variety of medical disciplines and/or conditions including pediatric medicine, assistive technology, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. Read more >>
- Division of Sports, Spine, and Musculoskeletal Medicine
The physiatrist is a nerve, muscle, bone, and brain expert who strives to decrease pain and restore function through nonsurgical means. With specialty training and certifications in pain, sports, and electrodiagnostic medicine PM&R doctors design treatment regimens for conditions such as athletic injuries including sports concussion, low back pain, arthritis, and chronic pain. Read more >>
- Division of Data Science and Rehabilitation Analytics
The Division provides statistical and research design consulting and support to PM&R investigators, clinicians, residents, and trainees. The team can assist with project planning, analysis, and manuscript development. Read more >>