Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

The Ochsner physical medicine and rehabilitation team treats conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, muscles and joints. No matter the condition, our team strives to help patients reach their health goals and improve their quality of life.

In inpatient settings, we frequently work with people recovering from an amputation, cardiac condition, joint replacement, spinal cord injury or stroke. Many of these patients continue to see a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in an outpatient clinic once they transition home.

Our outpatient clinics treat patients with conditions including:

• Achilles tendonitis: A rupture that affects the back of the lower leg

• Deconditioning following cancer treatment: When patients may lose physical or mental changes after a period of inactivity

• Fibromyalgia: Widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body

• Multiple sclerosis: A chronic disease that affects the central nervous system

• Osteoarthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Rotator cuff injury

• Spina bifida: A birth defect that affects the spine

• Traumatic brain injury

Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians are also an essential part of our teams that treat:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

• Back and spine conditions

• Concussions

• Sports injuries

Children can also see a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at one of our pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation locations.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors perform diagnostic tests and provide nonsurgical treatments. The testing or treatment you receive will be specific to your medical condition and how it’s affecting your life.

Common diagnostic tests include:

• Electromyography, or EMG: This test measures electrical signals from the muscles. It’s used to determine if weakness is due to a condition affecting muscles or nerves.
• Nerve conduction study: This test checks for nerve damage by measuring how fast signals travel from the brain to specific nerves.

Ochsner physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors offer several cutting-edge treatment options, including:

• Advanced injection therapies, including platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injection therapies: These treatments use natural materials from your blood or bone marrow to alleviate pain and stimulate healing.

• MedX Lumbar and Cervical Extension machines: These specially designed machines connect with software to test the strength of muscles that support the spine. The results are used to create a customized, dynamic exercise program that you do on the same machines.

• Prolotherapy: This treatment consists of injections into an injured joint over several weeks. The shots contain a substance that irritates the joint slightly to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.

• Tenex: This quick, minimally invasive procedure helps heal injured tendons. Ultrasound imaging allows the doctor to look inside the joint during the procedure. Then, ultrasonic energy is used to remove damaged tissue.

Other treatments might include:

• Botox injections to address spasticity in the muscles due to cerebral palsy, stroke or other neurological condition

• Cold or heat therapies

• Corticosteroid injections

• Massage

• Medication

Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists often prescribe treatment provided by allied healthcare professionals who support your daily life and improve functionality, including:

• Occupational therapists

• Physical therapists

• Speech and language pathologists

Your care team may also recommend equipment to improve your independence or safety, including:

• Adaptive equipment and assistive technology

• Braces or splints

• Communication devices

• Durable medical equipment, such as a bedside commode or shower chair

• Mobility devices, such as a cane, walker or wheelchair

• Prosthetics

After making their recommendations, your physician will refer you to specialists who can ensure you get equipment that fits you well and meets your unique needs.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors also partner with interventional pain management doctors when needed.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), often called physiatry, focuses on diagnosing, treating and managing conditions that affect movement and function. This medical specialty is designed to restore function and improve quality of life for individuals coping with injuries, illnesses or disabilities. By combining advanced therapies, expert care and personalized treatment plans, PM&R helps patients regain strength, reduce pain and achieve better mobility. Our rehab programs treat many conditions, like spinal cord injuries, strokes, muscle and joint problems, and chronic pain. We focus on giving complete, personalized care at every step.

Rehabilitation helps restore strength, mobility and independence for those recovering from injuries, illnesses or surgeries. At Ochsner Health, we create personalized care plans tailored to your needs, using therapies like physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as pain management. Our expert team treats conditions such as sports injuries, neurological issues and chronic pain, all with the goal of improving function and quality of life.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), or rehab medicine, helps people recover from injuries, illnesses, or conditions that affect movement and daily life. PM&R doctors, called physiatrists, focus on improving strength, mobility, and independence without surgery.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) can help you manage pain, improve movement and restore function after injuries, illnesses or surgeries. PM&R focuses on building strength, increasing mobility and enhancing independence without the need for surgery. Whether you're recovering from a sports injury, stroke or dealing with chronic conditions like arthritis, PM&R provides personalized care to help you regain your best quality of life.