Physiatry
Restore Function and Improve Your Quality of Life
Physiatrists, also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) doctors, are physicians who specialize in treating functional problems. Anyone with a chronic condition, injury or illness that has impaired their physical or cognitive (brain) function may benefit from treatment with a physiatrist.
At University of Vermont Health, our physiatrists work across multiple specialties to treat conditions such as musculoskeletal diseases, brain injuries, joint problems and more. We work to identify the root cause of your symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. Our focus is on restoring and improving your quality of life and helping you return to the activities you love.
Why Choose UVM Health?
As one of the leading physiatry programs in Vermont and northern New York, we offer:
- Specialized experts: Your care is in the hands of expert physiatrists who are board-certified in electrodiagnostic medicine. Our team’s quality outcomes consistently exceed national averages.
- Patient-centered care: We take the time to offer comprehensive evaluations, explain your diagnosis and equip you to participate in your treatment. Patients consistently tell us they have a clearer understanding of their needs and care plans after their visit.
- Coordinated treatment: We work closely with specialists across our health system to ensure you receive the services you need. Our physiatrists collaborate with orthopedic specialists, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, and pediatric therapists including occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists.
Services
Physiatrists at UVM Health care for patients in three main settings:
Our Inpatient Rehabilitation Units offer intensive therapy for patients who need 24-hour care after hospital discharge. You need a referral, evaluation from a qualified nurse and clearance from your insurance provider to qualify for admission to an Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.
After admission, you receive close medical monitoring and care from a team of providers that may include:
- Physiatrists
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Specialty nurses
We understand the complexity of inpatient rehabilitation and will coordinate your care to get you the treatment you need and help you meet your goals. We provide in-depth training and education for you, your family members and caregivers to help ensure a safe and successful return home.
Our Inpatient Rehabilitation Units' quality scores exceed national averages. We are proud of our short lengths of stay, exceptional outcomes and high patient satisfaction rates.
Our physiatrists also evaluate and treat patients in outpatient settings. We receive referrals from a wide array of physicians, including primary care providers, orthopedic surgeons and neurologists.
During your first appointment with a physiatrist, we spend extensive time discussing your symptoms, concerns and previous treatments. This in-depth consultation is key to determining the most effective treatment options for your needs.
Ongoing care may include specific medications, exercises, bracing, therapeutic injections or other therapies to reduce pain and restore function. We work closely with health care providers and therapists across the region to get you the comprehensive, ongoing care you need.
A pediatric physiatrist treats patients at the Children’s Specialty Center at Golisano Children's Hospital at UVM Health for several scheduled days each quarter. During these visits, she offers assessments, treatments and outpatient procedures. She works closely with experts in pediatrics, pediatric rehabilitation, orthopedics, neurology and neurosurgery, and wheelchair seating and positioning to ensure children get coordinated, comprehensive care.
This specialist is a national expert in children’s physiatry and the only pediatric physiatrist in Vermont. She provides leading-edge care close to home, with remote follow-up visits as needed. When necessary, she collaborates closely with experts at Boston Children’s Hospital so children get the appropriate level of care.
Conditions We Treat
Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors treat a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
- Amputations: Removal of all or part of a limb, either due to trauma, illness or surgical intervention
- Arthritis: Inflammation, stiffness and pain in one or more joints
- Brain injuries: Traumatic injuries that damage your brain tissue, potentially affecting cognitive (thinking) skills
- Lymphedema: Fluid buildup that occurs when your lymphatic system can’t drain fluid properly, often resulting from a tumor or radiation therapy
- Neurodegenerative disorders: Conditions that cause progressive damage to your nervous system, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to any part of your spinal cord or its nerves, potentially resulting in loss of sensation or movement
- Stroke: A medical emergency occurring when you experience a disruption of blood flow to your brain
- Vestibular disorders: Conditions that affect your vestibular system, the parts of your inner ear and brain that control balance and eye movements
