Reasons for Consultation or Referral to PM&R

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians focus on restoring function and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

Benefits of PM&R consults include:

• Recommendations for pts with: Spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, polytrauma, CVA, amputation, burns, critical illness/acute polyneuropathies or myopathies, or prolonged hospitalization
• Co-management for acute or chronic spasticity, neurogenic bowel and bladder, autonomic dysreflexia, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity associated with brain injury, contractures, wound care including pressure wound insight and/or prevention
• Assistance with gait impairments of uncertain etiology impacting post-acute care disposition safety
• Confirmation and facilitation of post-acute rehab disposition (Skilled Nursing Facility -SNF vs Inpatient Rehabilitation -IPR)
• Help identifying equipment required for discharge
• Provision of bedside MSK ultrasound-guided diagnostic joint aspirations and injections of small and large joints, bursa, and peripheral nerve (lateral femoral cutaneous, carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel)