MDNews - Minnesota

+++++++++++ + +++ +Q&A U +++ +++++++++++ The Role of Rehabilitation in Spinal Care Lindsay Haugen, PA-C L a prov i d e r at Physicians' Diagnostics & Rehabilitation Clinics (PDR), recently spoke to MD News about her experience moving from a surgerybased practice to PDR, which provides intensive, nonsurgical management of spinal disorders. Haugen received her physician assistant degree from the University of St. Francis and joined PDR in February 2012. INDSAY HAUGEN, PA-C, Q What type of practice were you in prior to joining PDR? A: Orthopedic spine surgical specialty. Q In approximately how many surgical cases were you involved per week? A: I would assist in approximately eight to 15 cases per week. Q Has your philosophy/scope of management of spinal conditions broadened since joining PDR? How so? A: The patients I see at PDR come 16 | Twin Cities MD NEWS I MDNEWS.COM in with similar spinal conditions that we would direct toward scheduling for surgery. After surgery, these patients would then be potential candidates for nonMed X physica l therapy. I would ty pically send patients for Med X therapy if they needed to return to work without restrictions. I often thought MedX therapy was too aggressive for my post-operative patients. After working with PDR and the MedX rehabilitation program with specialized protocols, I am finding patients can start therapy prior to surgical intervention and sometimes avoid surgery altogether. I am also finding patients can regain function and return to work and life activities whether they had a surgical procedure or not. Q C a n yo u ex p l a i n w h a t MedX therapy is and how it is used in PDR's rehabilitation program? A : Med X therapy uses specific MedX equipment designed to isolate and strengthen the supporting spinal muscles and discourages typical compensatory movement patterns. Using MedX exercise allows for improvement of mobility, stability, and strength of the spine and surrounding support structures. MedX therapy is the core of the PDR program in addition to a home exercise program to maximize a patient's recovery potential. Q So, even if a patient had a surgical procedure, you are now finding they can still benefit from intensive spinal rehabilitation? A: Yes. I'm finding that many patients can avoid surgery all together, and if a procedure has been done, a patient can benefit from intensive rehabilitation by returning to previous home, work and leisure activities earlier and more successfully. In addition, I'm finding that even if a patient goes on to require surgery, prior spinal strengthening can help patients recover from surgery more quickly. These postoperative patients tolerate MedX therapy well. They demonstrate a greater reduction of postsurgical pain symptoms compared to patients who do not attend therapy after the recovery phase, as determined by their surgeon. I am finding patients can improve their quality of life. Q Based on your broad experience treating patients with neck and back pain, what do you see as the future of spine care? A: The trend is toward multidisciplinary spine care with the exhaustion of conservative care, including intensive spinal rehabilitation, before resorting to more invasive options. Good medical oversight and continuity of care will be important aspects in the management of spinal conditions.

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