Physiatrist consultation – in brief
| When to contact | Neck pain and tension, pain and numbness in the arms and legs, lower back pain, recovery after injury or illness |
|---|---|
| What does it include | General and special physiatric examination |
| Duration | About 45 minutes |
| Additional tests | Where necessary, laboratory and other diagnostic tests |
| After the examination | Individual therapy and rehabilitation programme |
What does a physiatrist's examination involve?
A physiatrist consultation includes general examination and special part of the examination. In the general section the examining doctor will dedicate themselves fully to the conversation with the patient and take a medical history: personal details, the patient's primary symptoms, any previous illnesses and surgical interventions, details on the onset and progression of the current illness, as well as family history. In the special (clinical) section the physician assesses the functional status of the patient by examining posture and body carriage, gait, active and passive mobility of the spine and all joints, reflex activity, sensitivity, muscle tone, trophism and strength, the state of peripheral circulation, and the activities of daily living test (ADL test) when necessary
You can view the prices of examinations and therapies in pricelist for rheumatology, physical therapy and ultrasound.
Physical medicine
Additional diagnostic tests
Along with a clinical examination, if deemed necessary, are carried out additional diagnostic tests, such as:
- Laboratory tests (blood and urine tests)
- X-ray scans
- CT scanner
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- EMNG (electromioneurography of the arms and legs)
- Ultrasound of soft tissues and joints
- DOPPLER ultrasound of the blood vessels of the neck, upper and lower limbs
- DEXA scan for bone mineral density assessment
When necessary, the diagnosis is made as a team, in consultation with doctors of other specialties: orthopaedist, rheumatologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, vascular surgeon. Following the diagnosis, a individual therapy and rehabilitation programme, along with the prescription of appropriate medication, the implementation physiotherapy and medical exercises (kinesiotherapy). The aim is to create a recovery plan after an injury or illness together with the patient.
Conditions when you should consult a physiatrist
- Neck pain and tension, pain and tingling in the arms
- Lower back pain, i.e. in the lumbar spine, pain and numbness in one or both legs
- Pain in the thoracic spine, pain between the shoulder blades, intercostal neuralgia
- Painful shoulder, so-called “frozen shoulder”
- Pain in the elbow area, the so-called tennis elbow or golfer's elbow
- Pain in the peripheral joints (knees, hips, small joints of the hands)
- Foot pain, heel pain, heel spur
- Conditions following injuries and fractures (sports injuries)
Book a physiatrist appointment in Belgrade
The Imedic Polyclinic is located at Kneza Miloša 23 street, 2nd floor, Belgrade. Opening hours: Monday–Sunday, 9:00–21:00.
Appointments are made by phone: 064 237 0707. If you contact us from abroad, we are also available via Viber and WhatsApp on the same number.
Author: Dr Ivica Jeremić
Doctor of Medical Sciences (Molecular Medicine and Immunology), subspecialist in rheumatology, dermatology resident.
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