For Patients

The Physiatrist and Rehabilitation Medicine in FSHD

Physiatrists

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), or physiatry, is a branch of medicine dealing with rehabilitation – the functional restoration of a person affected by physical disability. A physician who has completed training in this field is referred to as a physiatrist. Physiatrists specialize in restoring optimal function to people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues and nervous system. The primary care doctor or neurologist will usually refer an FSHD patient to a physiatrist, who will usually in turn request an evaluation from both a physical therapist and an occupational therapist.

After talking with and examining you, a physiatrist might suggest:

An evaluation by a physical therapist for an exercise program
An evaluation by an occupational therapist of function in the home and at work
An evaluation by a pulmonologist and respiratory therapist to monitor or get a baseline on breathing status
An evaluation by an otolaryngologist (ENT), a speech, hearing and language therapist, for hearing and speech issues or for problems associated with facial weakness
An evaluation by a plastic surgeon for problems associated with eye closure due to eyelid weakness
An evaluation by an orthotist, or a prescription for a brace clinic for braces and orthotics
A yearly flu shot
A pneumonia vaccine (pneumovax)
An automobile driving assessment by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist
A wheelchair clinic to assess and try scooters and wheelchairs
A bone density scan for osteoporosis

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