Craig vs. Madonna

[mom23]

My daughter had her rehab at Craig hospital 5 years ago. She had gone back 2 or 3 times since for revaluations and check ups. They were very thorough, tested Asia score, seen a urologist etc.
In the meantime, I had tried to find a physiologist closer to home, never cared for the first one . Then found one we like in Lincoln at Madonna. We like the Dr. But, other than recommending seeing an urologist he doesn't do any retesting like Craig hospital does. Does one really need to be retested? He mainly monitors all her meds she is on. She sees him in July again. Should I be asking him for other tests? I mean, they don't even screen for a UTI like Craig would.

[gjnl]

Are you looking for a physiologist or a physiatrist?

A physiatrist or rehabilitation physicians is medical doctor who has completed training in the medical specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). The job of a rehabilitation physician is to treat any disability resulting from disease or injury, from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries.

A physiologist studies how the body works from a cellular level up. Physiologists specialize in physiology, the study of the functions of living things. There are many types of physiologist including exercise, cardiac, and neurophysiologists, plant physiologists etc.

While a physiologist might be helpful in treating certain aspects of spinal cord injury, a physiatrist is trained to look at the whole picture and all the specialties that are involved in treating someone with a spinal cord injury.

All the best,
GJ

[november]

Probably don't need all that testing yearly. Craig does ASIA retesting every 5 yrs I think not every year. If a physiatrist at Madonna can monitor meds and you find a urologist that will order a yearly ultrasound on kidneys/bladder and look into the bladder then you should be fine. Some/most uros do bloodwork yearly too. My big concern would be the wheelchair/seating aspect that you may be missing. As you know at Craig they are pretty thorough with how you sit to prevent and catch postural deformaties before they become an issue. They really are experts at modifying things if needed. I just see so many people with SCI that sit terribly and end of with scoliosis and then skin issues. I would keep an eye on range of motion and contractures too.