Physiatrics

Physiatry is concerned with the rehabilitation and recovery of patient function, intervening in improving the overall situation in which the individual finds himself.

Physiatric evaluation is recommended when movements, even the simplest ones, become painful and/or difficult compromising the quality of life and affecting the person’s autonomy.

Physical therapy is the specialty that deals with movement disorders and deficits in order to reduce pain while recovering and maintaining joint function, muscle strength and coordination over time.

Suitable for

Consultation with the specialist, treatments and physiotherapeutic exercises, prove invaluable both in the most acute phase of the disorder and in the later phase as maintenance, to ensure the best mental and physical well-being.

The Physiatrist and Physiotherapist deal with:

  • Post-orthopedic surgery treatments (e.g., rehabilitation after hip, knee, shoulder prosthetic surgery, post cruciate ligament reconstruction, spinal surgery outcomes, etc.) and/or neurosurgical surgeries
  • Joint/muscle trauma such as contractures, muscle distractions, sprains, contusions, tendinopathies, lumbago (back pain), lumbosciatica, cervicalgia, painful shoulder conditions
  • Orthopedic dysmorphisms (flat foot, varus or valgus knees, scoliosis) affecting the musculoskeletal system
  • Neurological diseases secondary to acute events (e.g., post-stroke hemiparesis), Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease), Multiple Sclerosis, peripheral nervous system diseases (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome), and others, affecting balance and movement ability
  • Rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disease, polymyalgia, etc.
  • Edema, lymphedema, phlebedema, situations of fluid accumulation in the interstitial tissue causing problems with the lymphatic system and circulation.

Visits and Examinations

  • Postural examination and postural re-education
  • Podiatric evaluation
  • Physiatric evaluation
  • Baropodometric examination
  • Path analysis
  • Identification of child, adolescent and adult paramorphisms and dysmorphisms
  • Assessment of cognitive, memory and language disorders
  • Assessment of urinary and fecal continence
  • Visit with functional assessment: when the physiatric examination arises from the need to produce comprehensive documentation for the submission of the disability application, the assessment will mainly concern autonomy in the performance of everyday life (ADL), a direct index of care needs.
  • In addition to objective assessment, assessment scales and specific tests (e.g., Barthel, Mini mental state examination) will be used.
  • Physiokinesitherapy treatments
  • Tecar therapy, magnetotherapy, ultrasound, mezieres, tens, kinesiotherapy, laser therapy, lymphatic drainage, iontophoresis, mesotherapy, pressure therapy, shock waves, massage therapy

In particular, robotic rehabilitation (Ekso, Alex RS) and pain therapy can be accessed at the San Raffaele facility in Sulmona.

Responsible physicians

Responsabile di IRCCS San Raffaele
Responsabile di St. Raphael Sulmona
Responsabile di St. Raphael Portuense
Responsabile di San Raffaele Monte Compatri

Facilities

Medical Specialists