What to expect at your first Physiatrist appointment
Image by Annie Spratt showing drawings of human body systems such as urinary system and muscle system.
So you have to see a physiatrist and you don’t know what to expect because people rarely talk about physiatry? I’ll give you my experience but just remember, I am not a doctor, and your appointment may differ or it may be the same.
I was referred to a physiatrist as part of my comprehensive treatment plan for my suspected endometriosis and adenomyosis. The thought process is that I may have additional pain generators that do not relate to these diseases so it is important to isolate which pain is coming from where.
It was the first time that I had heard about this type of doctor and every time I mentioned that I was going to see a physiatrist I was met with confused looks and a “Do you mean physiotherapist? No? What’s a physiatrist?”.
What is a physiatrist?
A physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They treat conditions related to muscles, tendons, joints, and the spinal cord among others.
Anyone can be referred to a physiatrist and they can provide you with treatments such as nerve blocks and injections.
What should you bring to a physiatrist appointment?
To make your appointment run smoothly and to give you some agency during the process, you may want to consider bringing:
· Medical history
· Shorts or leggings
· Sleeveless shirt
These should help with the p
What happens at the physiatrist appointment?
During the first appointment, I was asked (occasionally grilled) about my medical history. I had to answer questions about:
· How the pain feels
· Do I have numbness
· Why I was referred
· How often I feel pain
· Where I feel pain
· Why do I see my gynaecologist
· What medications I take
· When the pain started
· What other conditions I have
· Sports or activities during childhood
They use MyChart so a lot of my information was already online, but they wanted to paint a more fulsome picture of my health and add in information that may be missing.
After we went through the medical history, I was asked to remove my sweatshirt, so the doctor was able to see my gait more clearly, I think.
Exam 1:
· Walk normally
· Walk on toes
· Walk on heels
Exam 2:
· Lie on stomach on the examination table and have legs moved in various positions
· Lie on back on the examination table and have legs moved and hips prodded
· Lie on left and ride sides and have legs moved around and lifted
At the end of the appointment, they explained their hypothesis on what was wrong with me (potential hip problems that are showing up in the lower back). I had the opportunity to ask questions about what they were thinking and to clear up whether I did something to cause my issue (I didn’t).
What happens after the appointment?
Image by Beau Runsten showing cyclist crouching on a bike with blue sky and mountains in the background. Cyclist is wearing black with white helmet.
I went for an X-Ray immediately and the results will determine my next steps. If the imaging shows something strange with my hips, then we must come up with a treatment plan that includes physiotherapy and cortisone injections. If there is nothing on the X-Ray, I might be sent for an MRI and the cortisone injections may be used to keep the pain at bay while I wait.
In terms of things I can do, I was advised to keep stretching and cycling upright without too much resistance and no Tour-de-France style crouching. I am also meant to avoid activities that cause pain (walking, running, weightlifting).
I’ll keep updating my medical journey so hopefully it can help someone know what to expect.
Also, if you are looking for ways to keep track of your appointments then you might like my chronic illness planner and journal. It comes with appointment checklists so that you can make your next visit less stressful.
