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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Hours of Operation: M-F: 8:00AM-5:00PM
To Make an Appointment: (951) 274-3414 or (951) 274-3468

Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Electrodiagnostic medicine is a subspecialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation and neurology in which the bioelectric properties of nerves and muscles are studied to determine the cause of nerve and muscle dysfunction or disease.  Although there are many types of examinations performed in electrodiagnostic medicine, the most common are electromyography and nerve conduction study.  Electromyography , also known as EMG involves the use of a small needle electrode placed into various muscles and observing the bioelectric properties of the muscle on an oscilloscope.  Much as a radiologist can identify abnormalities on an x-ray or MRI, a skilled physician trained in electrodiagnostic medicine can correlate abnormal bioelectric activity in the muscles with known disease processes or trauma.  Common indications for electromyography would be weakness or pain due to injured spinal nerves or muscular diseases.

Nerve conduction study involves the use of small electrical currents applied to the peripheral nerves to study the formation and propagation of electrical currents through the peripheral and central nervous system and associated muscles. Measurements such as the nerve conduction velocity, size and shape of the bioelectric response can be correlated to known disease processes which can aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of many nerve and muscle diseases and injuries.  Common indications for nerve conduction study would be any type of suspected nerve trauma or disease such as carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves in the neck, back, arms or legs, sciatica, myasthenia gravis. Through an electrodiagnostic study, the referring physicians is provided accurate information regarding the health of the studied neuromuscular system , and can help greatly with prognosis and directing appropriate treatment.

A large component of an accurate electrodiagnostic examination involves the electrodiagnosticians interpretation of the myriad observations which are possible with the thousands of disease processes and types of trauma which are possible.  For this reason, to obtain board certification by the American Board of electrodiagnostic medicine, a physician must be previously board-certified in neurology or physical medicine and rehabilitation and must have performed at least 500 studies, must have two years of clinical postgraduate practice, and must pass both  a written and oral 2 day examination.

SpineCATH IntraDiscal ElectroThermal Therapy (IDET Therapy)

The latest technology applied at Community Medical Group is that of SpineCATH IntraDiscal ElectroThermal (IDET) Therapy.

The therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for patients with lumbar disc pain in which the physician applies controlled levels of thermal energy (heat) to a broad section of the affected disc wall. This heat contracts and thickens the collagen of the disc wall, and raises the temperature of the nerve endings. Therapy may result in contraction or closure of the disc wall fissures, a reduction in the bulge of the inner disk material, and a desensitization of the pain sensors within the disc.

Prior to this therapy, surgery (fusion or discectomy - both of which require long recovery periods) was often the only option. With IDET Therapy, the patient walks in and is able to walk out immediately following the procedure.

Medically Supervised Weight Management Program with

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Durable Medical Equipment onsite for your orthopedic needs
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Injury Clinic, Physicals, Education, & Game Coverage.
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SELECT CARE HOURS

Family Practice & Industrial Clinic
Mon - Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed on all Holidays

WHERE DOES IT HURT?

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Chris Marker, DO
Physical Medicine & Rehab
Board Eligible