Physiatry is a branch of medicine that aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to people with physical impairments or disabilities. Whether caused by an injury, accident or a disability, your condition might affect your ability to move, and the goal of our physiatrists is to maximize your physical function. Physiatrists are rehabilitation experts who have completed medical school and four years of specialty training. Our physiatrists make a diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, and prescribe medication if necessary. We help you avoid surgery. If the treatment plan involves physical therapy, a physical therapist typically performs the therapy. Physiatry is sometimes called physical medicine and rehabilitation.

At Mount Sinai Doctors in Queens, we consider your emotional, social, medical, and vocational concerns. We use the latest and most effective approaches. Often, we work closely with specialists throughout the Mount Sinai Health System. These experts may include primary care doctors, orthopedic surgeons, orthopedists, and podiatrists.

Conditions We Treat

Our physiatrists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. We see patients of all ages. Our goal is not necessarily to cure. We strive to help you function better and to improve your quality of life. We can help with short- and long-term issues. Some of the conditions we see most often include:

• Abdominal pain
• Back pain and strain
• Degenerative disc disease
• Disc herniation
• Elbow pain and sprain
• Foot drop
• Ganglion cyst
• Gluteal strain
• Groin injury
• Hand and wrist pain and sprain
• Hip pain and bursitis
• Iliotibial band friction syndrome
• Knee pain
• Neck pain
• Pelvic pain
• Pregnancy pain
• Radiculopathy
• Sacroiliac joint pain
• Sciatica
• Shoulder pain, sprain, and bursitis
• Spinal fractures
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Weight management

Diagnosis

The first step is a physical exam and medical history. We may also use imaging tests. This could be an X-ray, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging test. Another option, if necessary, is electrodiagnostic testing. This approach assesses your nerves and muscles when they are relaxed and when they are stimulated.

Services We Offer

Our specialists diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and provide care to give you the best possible outcome. We take a holistic approach to addressing your concerns. Some of the treatments we use include injections such as:

• Epidural steroid injections: Shots of steroids near the source of the pain
• Facet injections: Shots of pain-relieving medication near the source of the pain
• Joint injections: Shots delivered into the joint
• Medial branch blocks: Injection of a local anesthetic near the medial branch nerves
• Peripheral nerve block: Injection of regional anesthetic near the major nerves of the legs
• Sacroiliac joint injections: Shots delivered where your spine meets your pelvis
• Trigger point injections: Shots for pain relief and possibly steroid injection at the pain point
• Viscosupplementation: Injection of hyaluronic acid into your joint

We also perform other treatments, including:

• Radiofrequency ablation: Use of radio waves to shrink a growth in the body
• Spinal cord stimulator trial placements: Placement of a permanent device that uses electrical stimulation

If you need surgery, we can also help with surgical planning and post-operative care. We also provide complementary medical approaches such as interventional pain management and sports physical therapy.