Met with a new PM&R doctor today - loved her!!

[Sally]

She was just great - a real change from our previous one. She spent the entire meeting on the floor with Michael - how super, IMHO! We talked about Michael's birth, his injury, what surgeries he has had ("Did he have the Mod Quad done?" - what a pleasant surprise that she already knows all about it!) and what Michael needs now and possibly in the future.

She prescribed a nighttime splint for him - he never fully extends his arm/elbow, so hopefully this will discourage any bicep contractures. She also wrote the script for the splint to encourage suppination. We'll see. I have to try and get an appointment with Childrens to make the splint. She asked me if TCH and I had discussed the pronator transfer (I hope that I spelled that right). We haven't - maybe this splint will prevent that discussion...

We also discussed Michael's lack of enthusiasm for walking (he's just started taking steps). She is a bit worried - he tends to walk on his toes a bit and his legs are a bit "stiff". His reflexes are a "bit brisk". Anyone know what any of that means? She asked me to pass on that info to Michael's PT (they know each other) and I assume that the PT will explain it to me - but we won't see her until the end of next week.

I'm just so excited that our new physiatrist (sp?) and I seem to have a lot of the same ideas and thoughts on things. Our last PM&R (who got a new appointment and stopped returning any phone calls - grrr) was much less agressive than I am and it was a bit frustrating for both of us, I think.

The new PM&R is also involved in a trial that is going on now that will assist older kids in doing ROM exercises. It sounds *so* cool. They are designing robots, electronic games and remote controlled cars that are controlled by arm/hand movement - for example, turning your hand palm up makes the car go to the left and palm down makes it go to the right, etc. How cool for older kids (adults, even!) that are bored stiff by ROM exercises!

Thanks for letting me share!

Sally

P.S. Oh, BTW, she isn't taking any new patients, but when I called and said that I had a 19 month old with a BPI, she took him anyway. She is pretty well thought of in our area.

[Kristie]

Sally,
What is a PM&R doctor?
Thanks,
Kristie

[Sally]

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - also a physiatrist.

[Sophie's Mom]

Sally, where do you live? It might be helpful to others in your area to know the doctor's name and contact information.
Thanks,
Tina

[Sally]

I live in Maryland. The doctor's name is Dr. Katharine Alter and her number is 410-544-7838 or 301-618-6974.

[Karrie -- Md.]

Sally,
Thanks_for_posting_about_this_doctor...it_makes_me_feel
really_good._I_just_scheduled_an_appointment_with_her
for_Kyle._We_go_to_see_her_in_Feb._She_came_very_highly
recommended_to_me._I_have_been_looking_for_a_new_doctor
since_Kyle's_doctor_moved_to_N.Y._I_was_also_told_
originally_that_she_does_not_take_new_patients,_but_
when_I_mentioned_my_son_had_a_BPI_she_said_that_was_a_
different_story._Apparently_BPI's_are_her_specialty_so_she_will_take_them._
I_am_so_happy_that_you_had_such_a
good_experience_with_her._I_hope_Kyle's_visit_goes_just_as_well.
Karrie
(I_met_you_at_the_PA._picnic_right?)

[Sally]

Karrie, yep we met at the picnic (and it was so nice to meet you!!)

I hope that your appt goes just as well. As you can tell, I really liked her!! She certainly seems *very* knowledgable about BPIs.

I'd love to hear how your appt goes after you see her.

Sally

[admin]

I am so happy for you. How nice to have a good doctor on your side.

A dumb question to ask but what exactly is a physiatrist (sp?) or whatever type of doctor you were talking about?

[Sally]

Here are a couple of websites that describe a physiatrist's function:

http://users.erols.com/nscia/resource/f ... act11.html

http://www.methodisthealth.com/rehab/physiatr.htm

http://www.physiatrist.com/

I hope that this helps.

Sally

[Sally]

Here's another one:

http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/rehab/pediatric.htm