There are some disorders that affect the physical and mental part of the body to function properly.
Disability
Disability is the type of disorder in which a person has a lack of ability to perform activities such as not being able to walk.
Impairment
Impairment is the loss from physiologic, psychological and functional perspectives that results from a painful condition such as paralysis.
Handicap
Handicap is the abnormality that an individual suffers due to any disability or impairment that affects its role in society.
There are many medical conditions or injuries that can affect one’s ability to function. These medical conditions need physical medicine and rehabilitation. They are:
Brain injury or spinal cord injury.
Chronic pain such as back pain, neck pain and etc.
Severe arthritis becoming worse if not treated on time.
Brain disorders like a stroke.
Severe weakness of a serious disease or illness like infections, Heart failure, respiratory failure and etc.
Severe burns, major bone surgery, and limb amputation.
Disorder of consciousness.
Cardiopulmonary conditions
Spinal cord injuries
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Burns, wound care, and diabetic ulcers
Cystic fibrosis (CF) and post-myocardial infarction (MI)
Hand therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
Musculoskeletal dysfunction
Back pain, rotator cuff tears, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)
Sports-related injuries, such as concussion and tennis elbow
Parkinson's disease
Traumatic brain injuries
Vestibular dysfunction
Pediatric conditions such as developmental delays,
Cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy
Women's health and pelvic floor dysfunction like urinary incontinence and lymphedema
Multiple sclerosis
Children may have many problems. Some have problems from birth, some have disabilities due to injury or some reasons. They may need physical medicine and rehabilitation for:
Speech disorders
A speech disorder is a disorder in which an individual suffers from the problems of creating or forming voice or sounds to communicate
Intellectual disability
Intellectual disability is the condition in which an individual has a lack of skills that are necessary for daily living.
Neuromuscular disorders
The neuromuscular disorder is the disorder that causes muscle weakness, loss of muscle tissue and bones. It gets worse with time.
Genetic disorders
A genetic disorder is a disorder in which problems or disorders are carried from parents to children.
Developmental disorders
The developmental disorder usually occurs in the first three years of life. This affects the brain’s ability to develop normally.
There are many causes of medical conditions that need physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Disorders of consciousness can be caused by trauma, poisoning and reduced supply of blood and oxygen to the brain.
Spinal cord injury can be caused by sports injury, accidents, falls and gunshot wounds.
Heart failure caused by severe anemia, heart attack, infections that make heart muscle weakness, thyroid and etc.
Arthritis can be a result of broken bone, infections, uric acid, and wear and tear on joints.
Burns, poor blood flow, trauma, and tumors can result in limb amputation.
High blood pressure is the main cause of strokes.
Diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, irregular heartbeat, and poor blood flow can result in many serious medical conditions.
The treatment offered for pain and injury is an approach provided by physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Medications
Active physical therapy (exercise)
Passive physical therapy (ice/heat/ultrasound to relieve the pain)
Massage therapy
Back Braces
Assistive devices
Health psychology
Early communication skills
Social interaction and play
Therapy for specific medical problems
Physical medicine and rehabilitation are very beneficial for people who lost their body capability to work properly due to some injury or therapeutic conditions. Physical medicine and rehabilitation assist patients in a very effective way.