Rehabilitation Oncology (South) program¿s cancer physiatrist, provides assessment, treatment and management of cancer-related side effects to help improve function and quality of life.Physiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialized training in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Patients seen by physiatry benefit from earlier identification and treatment of rehabilitation issues potentially stemming from the cancer itself or treatment plans. Physiatrists foucs their treatment on function by treating the whole person, not just one problem area. Physiatry can assist with medical management along the cancer experience from diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
The service provides the following services:
- orders diagnostic testing including neuromusculoskeletal ultrasound, bloodwork and laboratory tests
- performs nueromuscular, musculoskeletal, functional evaluations
- performs electrodiagnosis (EMG, nerve conduction studies)
- assesses medical appopriateness and readiness for inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
- assesses and provides general recommendations for return to work (not Functional Capacity Evaluations)
- prescribe specific rehabilitation prescriptions tailored to the cancer diagnosis
- prescribe equipment (such as bracing, adaptive equipment, home modifications)
- prescribe medications for pain, neuropathy, spasticity
- perform injections (such as trigger point injections, occipital nerve blocks, corticosteroid injections into peripheral joints, botulinum toxin injections for spasticity and radiation fibrosis)
- make recommendations on treatment options for functional daily issues including mobility, bowel and bladder management
- make referrals for community-based programs such as Community Accessible Rehabilitation, Palliative Home Care, Alberta Cancer Exercise program and Alberta Healthy Living
Physiatry visits are offered in-person and virtually (phone and online platforms like Zoom and MyAHSConnect).
Your doctor will get a written report after your assessment.
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