Physiatrist consultation – in brief
| When to book an examination | Neck pain and tension, pain and numbness in the arms and legs, lower back pain, recovery after injury or illness |
|---|---|
| What it includes | General and specialist (clinical) physiatric examination |
| Duration | About 45 minutes |
| Additional tests | Where necessary, laboratory and other diagnostic tests |
| After the examination | Personalised therapy and rehabilitation programme |
What does a physiatrist's examination involve?
A physiatrist examination consists of a general part and a specialist part. In the general part, the doctor takes time to talk with the patient in detail and takes 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 stance and posture, gait, active and passive mobility of the spine and all joints, reflexes, sensation, 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 our price list for rheumatology, physical therapy and ultrasound.
Physical medicine
Additional diagnostic tests
In addition to the clinical examination, further diagnostic tests may be carried out if necessary, such as:
- Laboratory tests (blood and urine tests)
- X-rays
- CT scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- EMNG (electromyoneurography of the arms and legs)
- Ultrasound of soft tissues and joints
- Doppler ultrasound of the blood vessels of the neck, arms and legs
- DEXA scan for bone mineral density assessment
When necessary, the diagnosis is made as a team, in consultation with doctors of other specialities: an orthopaedist, rheumatologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, vascular surgeon. Once the diagnosis has been made, an individual therapy and rehabilitation programme is drawn up, including appropriate medication, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise (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 numbness in the arms
- Lower back (lumbar spine) pain, 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, 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
Imedic poliklinika is located at Kneza Miloša 23, 2nd floor, Belgrade. Opening hours: Monday–Sunday, 9:00–21:00.
Appointments can be booked 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
PhD in Medical Sciences (Molecular Medicine and Immunology), rheumatology subspecialist, dermatology resident.
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