ABSTRACT
En Puerto Rico, la especialidad de medicina física y rehabilitación surgió en la década de los años cincuenta y a partir de ese momento ha progresado gracias a la creación de programas de adiestramiento de vanguardia, el establecimiento de una cultura de investigación científica y el desarrollo de la especialidad primaria y de subespecialidades como manejo de dolor, medicina del deporte, rehabilitación pediátrica, medicina neuromuscular, medicina de trauma cerebral y medicina de lesiones medulares. La práctica clínica más común es la de atención a pacientes externos con dolor, lesiones musculoesqueléticas y daños en el sistema nervioso, pero se ha presentado un aumento en los servicios de rehabilitación intensiva de pacientes que requieren hospitalización; en el uso de técnicas intervencionistas para manejo de dolor, lesiones de tejido blando y articulares, así como en el manejo de espasticidad. Actualmente, la especialidad de fisiatría en Puerto Rico enfrenta grandes retos, como lo son el control de las aseguradoras sobre los servicios que se les ofrecen a pacientes con impedimentos físicos y restricciones de participación, el incremento en la cantidad de documentos requeridos para que se aprueben estos servicios y la competencia de otros profesionales de la salud que han incursionado en el campo de rehabilitación. Las oportunidades para la especialidad incluyen el aumento de la población mayor y con discapacidad que requiere servicios de rehabilitación; el desarrollo de las prácticas de subespecialidad, y la necesidad de aumentar la evidencia científica que demuestre la efectividad de los tratamientos que se ofrecen y de apoyar las políticas públicas que aumenten el acceso a servicios de rehabilitación para personas de escasos recursos.
In Puerto Rico, the specialty in physical medicine and rehabilitation emerged in the 1950s and since then it has progressed thanks of the creation of cuttingedge training programs, the establishment of a culture of scientific research and the development of the primary specialty and subspecialties such as pain management, sports medicine, pediatric rehabilitation, neuromuscular medicine, brain trauma medicine, and spinal cord injury medicine. The most common clinical practice is the care of outpatients with pain, musculoskeletal injuries and damage of the nervous system, but there has been an increase in intensive rehabilitation services for patients who require hospitalization, in the use of interventionist techniques for the management of pain, soft tissue and joint injuries, as well as for the management of spasticity. Currently, the specialty of physiatry in Puerto Rico faces big challenges, such as the control of the insurers on the services offered to patients with physical impairments and participation restrictions, the increase in the number of documents required for the approval of these services, and the competition of other health care professionals who have ventured into the field of rehabilitation. The opportunities for the specialty include the increase in the elderly and disabled population requiring rehabilitation services, the development of subspecialty practices, and the need to increase scientific evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of the treatments offered and to support public policies that increase the access to rehabilitation services for people with limited resources.
Subject(s)
Humans , Puerto Rico , ResearchABSTRACT
Objective We aim to assess the awareness and evaluation pattern among physiatrists regarding cancer rehabilitation and associated barriers to access. Design The present study is a cross-sectional study in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Association Annual Meeting in Puerto Rico that used a 10-item questionnaire to summarize physiatrists' clinical patterns with their persons diagnosed with cancer (PDWCs). Results Thirty-eight (66.7%) participants answered they received minimal to no education about cancer rehabilitation benefits. Cancer patients represented 10% or less of the weekly patient load for 47 (82.5%) physiatrists surveyed. The most common type of cancer encountered was breast cancer for the management of adverse effects. Twenty-nine (50.9%) physiatrists answered that a multifactorial barrier was the cause for limited services within this population group. All participants agreed that rehabilitation is at least sometimes beneficial for cancer patients, and 54 (94.7%) believed these services are needed. Conclusion Although rehabilitation specialists learn about the benefits of rehabilitation for PDWCs, there continues to be a limited number of PDWCs evaluated, mainly due to poor access, lack of information about cancer rehabilitation, and economic difficulties. Further efforts should be made to emphasize the importance of integrating rehabilitation techniques in the care of PDWCs.
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INTRODUCTION: Cancer survivors may experience multiple comorbidities related to the disease itself and adverse effects from treatment. Rehabilitation specialists could provide treatment options; however, oncologic rehabilitation services are underutilized. OBJECTIVE: To assess oncologists' awareness of the benefits of rehabilitation for cancer care patients and to identify barriers to rehabilitation referrals in adult cancer patients in Puerto Rico. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Regional Annual Meeting of the Association of Medical Hematology and Oncology of Puerto Rico, 4-7 September 2015. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two oncologists. INTERVENTIONS: Participants completed a 10-item questionnaire focused on demographics, knowledge, and clinical practices over the previous 12 months related to rehabilitation in cancer patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency, reasons, and timing for oncologist referral of cancer patients to rehabilitation. Perceived risks and benefits of rehabilitation in cancer patients and their correlation to patient referrals, prognosis, type of cancer, and type of symptoms. RESULTS: Thirty-seven oncologists (88.1%) received minimal or no education about cancer rehabilitation, its benefits, and indications. This resulted in 31 oncologists (73.8%) referring less than 15% of their patients for rehabilitation, with almost a third of participants referring less than 5%. However, 39 (92.9%) agreed that rehabilitation is always or frequently beneficial for their patients. Fifteen (35.7%) said they did not refer patients if prognosis was less than 6 months, and 16 (38.0%) avoided referring patients with life expectancy of less than 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although medical oncologists have some knowledge that rehabilitation is beneficial for their patients, there is a low referral rate. This could be due to lack of information about cancer rehabilitation and limited access to cancer rehabilitation specialists. Further efforts should be made to improve access to rehabilitation care for cancer patients and survivors.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Oncologists , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Medical Oncology , Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Brown-Séquard Syndrome (BSS) is one of the rarest incomplete spinal cord syndromes. The combination of injuries to peripheral nerves and the central nervous system result in an array of symptoms that can result in overlapping clinical presentations and delayed diagnosis. Early detection of spinal cord injury in patients with peripheral nerve injury has been observed to have a positive effect on outcomes. CASE PRESENTATION: This report discusses the case of a 29-year-old male patient with Brown-Sequard-Plus Syndrome (BSPS) and Brachial Plexopathy (BP) secondary to gunshot wound in the left inferior neck. The patient was found initially with left hemibody weakness. A chest CT Scan demonstrated a fracture of the left T2 transverse process. Imaging studies of the spinal cord were not performed in the acute setting. Evaluation in an outpatient setting 3 weeks later showed significant left upper extremity weakness with improvement of left lower extremity strength. Also present were loss of pain and temperature sensation on the right side below the T2 dermatome level. A cervico-thoracic MRI was requested and revealed a T2 level spinal cord contusion. Electrodiagnostic studies confirmed a lower trunk left BP. DISCUSSION: The patient was diagnosed with BSPS and associated left lower trunk BP. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a concomitant BSPS and BP secondary to a gunshot wound. Delayed diagnosis of BSPS may occur in a trauma setting underlying the importance of a detailed history and physical examination for favorable outcomes.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS) is the most frequently encountered incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The patient presents weakness, which is usually greater in the upper extremities than in the lower extremities, secondary to damage to the cervical spinal cord and anatomic distribution of the corticospinal tracts. CCS is seen commonly after a hyperextension mechanism in older patients with spondylotic changes. There are few literature reports regarding CCS in pediatric patients. We present an unusual case of traumatic CCS in a pediatric patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old male patient, victim of bullying at school, received cervical blunt trauma with a plastic tube. Within 3 h, the patient developed generalized weakness, which was greater in the upper extremities than in the lower extremities. Upon evaluation, the patient was found with marked upper extremity weakness compared to the lower extremities, with a Manual Muscle Test difference of 11 points. Imaging studies showed contusive changes in the C4-C7 central spinal cord. After rehabilitation therapies the patient gained 23 points in MMT at the day of discharge. DISCUSSION: Different etiologies of CCS have previously been described in pediatric patients. However, this is the first case that describes a bullying event with cervical blunt trauma and subsequent CCS. In this case, history and physical examination, along with imaging studies, helped in the diagnosis, but it is important to be aware of the possibility of SCI without radiographic abnormalities, as it is common in the pediatric population. CCS occurs rarely in pediatric patients without underlying pathology. Physicians must be aware of the symptoms and clinical presentation in order to provide treatment and start early rehabilitation program.
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Cada laboratorio debe establecer sus propios parámetros normales para velocidades de conducción nerviosa, ya que, factores como temperatura, técnicas de medición y la localización de los electrodos pueden afectar los resultados. Cuarenta y cinco voluntarios (35 mujeres y 10 varones) entre las edades de 15 a 64 años, fueron sometidos a un historial completo y examen físico para excluir la posibilidad de neuropatía periférica. Las pruebas de laboratorios incluyeron hemograma, análisis de orina, SMA-12, glucosa plasmática 2 horas post prandial y pruebas de función tiroidea. Los valores obtenidos para las velocidades de conducción de los nervios medianos y ulnares fueron comparables con aquellos descritos previamente en la literatura. Cuando los valores fueron comparados entre grupos de edades, no se hallaron diferencias significativas. El proceso de envejecimiento no se encontró ser un factor determinante en la prolongación de velocidad de conducción o de la latencia distal
