MedStar Health: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Physical therapists evaluate strength, balance, range of motion, coordination, endurance and posture of each individual patient. On initial examination, the physical therapist develops a treatment plan specific to correcting pertinent physical findings. During the course of the rehabilitation period, physical therapists document progress, re-evaluate physical findings and modify treatment strategies as appropriate. Assistive devices such as crutches, canes and walkers are often used to increase patients’ independence.

Some of the conditions we treat include:

• Balance and Gross Motor Coordination
• Developmental Disabilities
• Gait Training
• Heart and Lung Function
• Joint Mobility/Motion/increasing activity tolerance 
• Pain Management
• Post-operative care
• Muscle Strength and Endurance
• Neurodevelopmental Technique (NDT) Trained Therapis
• Wound Care

During their hospital stay, patients are evaluated by occupational therapists to assess their ability to care for themselves and return to activities of daily living. Our staff will provide guidance and follow-up care to help maximize a patient's abilities before leaving the hospital.

Some of the conditions we treat include:

• Activities of Daily Living (e.g. dressing, bathing, feeding)
• Balance training 
• Cognitive Skills
• Durable Medical Equipment
• Ergonomics
• Fine motor coordination/Gross motor coordination 
• Functional transfers (e.g. commode, tub, bed, chair, etc.)
• Hand and Arm Functioning
• Pain Management
• Perceptual Skills
• Positioning and Splinting
• Post-operative care
• Safety Skills 
• Splints

Patients are evaluated by speech-language pathologists in an inpatient setting for speech, language, cognitive, and/or swallowing disorders. Based on the evaluation, a treatment plan is developed to assist individuals to improve their communication and/or swallowing. Throughout this process, patients and family members are educated to use new strategies and techniques to compensate for communication, cognitive, and/or swallowing disorders.

Some of the conditions we treat include:

• Alaryngeal Speech Assessment and Training
• Aphasia
• Cognition and Memory
• Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing (FEES)
• Fluency or Stuttering
• Head & Neck Cancer Management
• Language
• Laryngectomee Care
• Modified Barium Swallow Studies or Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (MBSS/VFSS)
• Speech or Dysarthria
• Swallowing or Dysphagia
• Tracheostomy Care

Patients are evaluated to assess strength, mobility, pain and the individual’s overall level of function. Our general approach to therapy focuses on returning patients to function with an emphasis on manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education and a progressive gym/home exercise program. Our therapists are also trained in the use of intramuscular therapy (trigger point dry needling) and real-time or diagnostic ultrasound imaging. Our therapists employ cutting-edge technologies, including dorsaVi™ wearable sensors, to create highly customized care plans.

Some of the conditions we treat include:

• Foot/Ankle: Sprains, fractures, injuries to: tarsals, metatarsals, peroneal and tibial muscles, distal tibia/fibula, calcaneus, navicular, talus, sesamoid, ATF, Deltoid (ankle), metatarsal-phalangeal joints; bunionectomy, Achilles tendon injuries, anterior compartment, plantar fascia, clawed toes, hammer toe, pes planus, Os Trigonum and heel spurs
• Hip/Pelvis: OA, RA, joint replacements/THA/R, fracture, weakness, Trochanteric bursitis, hernia; injuries to: femoral nerve, groin, adductor muscles, acetabular labrum, piriformis and hamstring and flexors
• Knee/Thigh: Injuries to: Collateral/cruciate ligaments, MCL, ACL, PCL, LCL, quadriceps, hamstring, patella, tibial plateau, femoral condyle, plica, VMO, iliotibial band/ITB, meniscus; OA, RA, bursitis, joint replacements/TKA/R, patellar pain/PFPS, Osgood Schlatter and osteochondritis dissecans
• Neck/Back: Cervicalgia, strains, sprains, OA, RA, bulging/herniated disc, pinched nerve, Brachial neuropathy, radicular neuropathy, neck/back traction, fractures, headache, lumbago, spondy, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, laminectomy, discectomy, lumbar/abdominal stabilization, DJD, DDD, ACDF; injuries to: trapezius, scalene, facet, L1-5, C1-8, T1-12, ribs and paraspinal musculature
• Neurological dysfunction: Brain injury/TBI, stroke/hemiparesis, CVA, ALS, MS, gait training, balance training, crutch/walker training and muscular dystrophy
• Pelvic Floor/Incontinence/Women's Health: Coccydynia, vulvodynia, vulval vestibulitis, interstitial cystitis, vaginismus, dyspareunia, urinary incontinence, prolapse and pre-natal and post-partum pain
• Shoulder: humerus, clavicle, glenohumeral joint, glenoid, labrum, rotator cuff/RTC, capsule, acromio-clavicular/AC joint, sterno-clavicular joint; dislocations, instability and scapular dysfunction
• Vestibular dysfunction: BPPV, labyrinthitis, vertigo and dizziness
• Wound Care: Venous ulcer, vasculitis, wound, rheumatoid vascular wound, MIST therapy, debridement, compression, wrapping, bandaging, arterial damage, diabetic conditions and coagulopathy

Patients are evaluated to assess the impact of a condition or injury on the individual's ability to work and care for themselves. Our therapists are specially trained in the treatment of neurological dysfunctions, and have certifications in hand and lymphedema therapy.

Some of the conditions we treat include:

• Amputations
• Arthritis
• Burns
• Certified Hand Therapists: Customized Hand and Arm Splints
• Cysts
• Edema
• Ergonomics 
• Fractures
• Impingement Syndrome
• Lymphedema Certified Therapist
• Nerve Injuries and Impingements
• Neurodevelopment Technique (NDT) Trained Therapist 
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Rotator Cuff Injuries
• Sensory Integration Treatment
• Sprains or Strains
• Tendon Injuries
• Tendonitis
• Vocation and Avocation
• Wounds or Scars

Clients are seen for speech-language pathology services for a variety of reasons. Clients are evaluated by a licensed speech-language pathologist and a formal treatment plan is developed to assist the patient to improve speech, language, cognitive, voice and/or swallowing function. Clients and their family or caregivers are educated to help them better understand their difficulties and help them improve by using techniques to compensate for their deficits. Home programs are also utilized to target new behaviors outside of the therapy environment and assist the client to improve.

Some of the conditions we treat include:

• Alaryngeal Speech Assessment and Training
• Aphasia
• Aural Rehabilitation
• Chronic Cough or Refractory Chronic Cough
• Cognition and Memory
• Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing (FEES)
• Fluency or Stuttering
• Gender-affirming voice therapy, voice therapy for transgender and gender-diverse people
• Language
• Laryngectomee Care
• Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) LOUD
• Modified Barium Swallow Studies or Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (MBSS/VFSS)
• Respiratory re-training, expiratory muscle strength training (EMST)
• Speech or Dysarthria
• Swallowing or Dysphagia
• Tracheostomy Care
• Voice or Dysphonia