Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR)

Key Services and Areas of Focus

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological rehabilitation focuses on patients who have suffered from neurological conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. The aim is to help patients recover function and manage symptoms associated with these conditions:

• Stroke Rehabilitation: Following a stroke, patients may experience physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. PMR offers a multidisciplinary approach that includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to promote recovery and improve functional independence.
• Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: For patients with paraplegia or quadriplegia resulting from spinal cord injuries, the department provides tailored rehabilitation programs to maximize physical mobility, reduce complications, and enhance quality of life.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Rehabilitation programs for individuals with brain injuries, including motor and cognitive therapies to promote recovery and help patients regain everyday function.
• Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders: Specialized programs to address the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement and balance. The department uses physical therapy, medication management, and education to help patients improve mobility and manage their condition.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Rehabilitation for individuals with MS, which can include muscle weakness, spasticity, and coordination issues. A focus is placed on strengthening and mobility, alongside adaptive strategies to manage daily activities.

Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

Musculoskeletal rehabilitation focuses on the treatment and recovery of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This is crucial for both orthopedic conditions and injuries:

• Orthopedic Injury Recovery: Including fractures, ligament tears, and tendon injuries. PMR provides physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and joint function, while reducing pain and swelling.
• Arthritis Rehabilitation: For patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, the department offers tailored exercises and techniques to help reduce joint pain, improve mobility, and prevent further joint degeneration.
• Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Following surgeries like joint replacements, spinal surgeries, or ligament repairs, physical medicine and rehabilitation help patients recover faster and more completely, through specialized exercises and mobility training.
• Sports Injuries: PMR is also involved in the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries such as sprains, strains, dislocations, and tendon injuries. The goal is to help athletes return to their sport safely and prevent future injuries.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of care for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions that impair lung function and breathing:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): For COPD patients, PMR helps improve lung function, reduce shortness of breath, and enhance quality of life through breathing exercises, physical training, and education on managing the condition.
• Asthma Rehabilitation: Techniques and therapies aimed at improving lung function, reducing asthma symptoms, and improving exercise tolerance.
• Post-Operative Respiratory Rehabilitation: After lung surgeries (like lung resections, transplants, or treatments for tuberculosis), patients are provided with rehabilitation to improve lung capacity and enhance recovery.
• Ventilator Dependency Rehabilitation: For patients who have been on ventilators for extended periods, the department offers therapies to help regain independent breathing, strengthen respiratory muscles, and improve overall pulmonary function.

Geriatric Rehabilitation

The geriatric population often faces a variety of challenges, including frailty, decreased mobility, chronic illness, and cognitive decline. The PMR department at SMCRI places special emphasis on meeting the rehabilitation needs of older adults:

• Falls Prevention and Balance Training: Older adults are at higher risk for falls, which can lead to serious injuries like fractures or head trauma. PMR offers balance and strength training exercises to reduce fall risk.
• Rehabilitation After Surgery: Elderly individuals recovering from surgeries, such as hip replacements or joint replacements, are guided through rehabilitation to regain strength, flexibility, and independence.
• Cognitive and Functional Rehabilitation: Addressing the cognitive impairments that often accompany aging, such as memory loss or dementia, through brain exercises, therapeutic activities, and adaptive strategies for daily living.
• Chronic Disease Management: For conditions like osteoarthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, the PMR department offers rehabilitation programs to help manage symptoms and improve overall health.

Pediatric Rehabilitation

The pediatric rehabilitation program at SMCRI focuses on treating children with physical disabilities due to congenital conditions, neurological disorders, or injury:

• Developmental Delays: Rehabilitation for children with delays in motor skills, coordination, or speech development, aiming to help them reach milestones appropriate for their age.
• Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation: For children with cerebral palsy, rehabilitation focuses on improving mobility, strength, and coordination, with an emphasis on early intervention to optimize long-term outcomes.
• Genetic and Neuromuscular Disorders: Children with conditions like muscular dystrophy or other inherited neuromuscular disorders benefit from tailored physical and occupational therapy to maximize their physical abilities.
• Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Following surgeries for congenital or acquired conditions, the department provides rehabilitation to improve functional outcomes and assist with mobility and independence.

Pain Management

Pain is a significant component of many physical disabilities, particularly in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The PMR department integrates pain management into rehabilitation strategies:

• Chronic Pain Management: Techniques like physical therapy, thermal therapies (heat and cold), electrical stimulation, and manual therapies to manage pain and improve quality of life.
• Acute Pain Relief: For conditions such as acute injuries or post-surgical recovery, the department focuses on alleviating pain and supporting early recovery with modalities like TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), ultrasound therapy, and massage.

Assistive Devices and Prosthetics

For patients with severe physical disabilities, the department provides specialized assistive devices to improve mobility and function:

• Prosthetics: The department works with prosthetists to fit and adjust artificial limbs for amputees, providing rehabilitation to ensure the proper use and integration of the prosthetic device.
• Orthotics: The fitting of braces or splints to provide support to weakened or injured joints and limbs, improving mobility and preventing further injury.
• Wheelchair and Seating Solutions: For patients with severe mobility impairments, appropriate seating arrangements and wheelchairs are provided to optimize comfort and function.

Academic and Clinical Training

The PMR Department at SMCRI plays a vital role in educating future healthcare professionals:

• Medical Students and Interns: Providing exposure to the field of rehabilitation medicine, emphasizing its importance in holistic patient care.
• Postgraduate Training: Specializing in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, the department offers residency programs for aspiring physiatrists, as well as training in allied health fields like physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
• Workshops and CME Programs: Regular continuing medical education (CME) programs are organized for healthcare professionals to stay updated with the latest advancements in rehabilitation technologies and techniques.