Physiatrist anyone?

Did anyone have to see a physiatrist as a pre-op test? If so, what do they do? Also, had my sleep apnea test on Saturday and it showed that I have sleep apnea. They are going to repeat the test but that is just going to slow down my approval process. Thanks for listening to me Nancy

I did. The appointment was actually in two parts. I had to go in and take this long computer test. It was a bunch of questions.. some of them seemed stupid.. most of them were pretty innocuous. It took me about a half hour to complete it. Then the results went to the psychologist.. *****viewed them briefly then met with me and asked me some more questions. Really, we just talked. No couch. No "tell me about your muzzer.." It was just calm and he asked me why I wanted to have the surgery. What did I think would be the biggest hurdles after surgery were going to be.. How did I plan to deal with them.. Then he told me he would write a letter approving my surgery and send it to my insurance. The whole "ordeal" took about an hour and a half. Stef

Thank you but isn't that you psychologist evaluation? I have to see a Physiatrist. I already had my psych exam, that went fine. This is a different doctor. I think something like a physcial therapist but different. I do not know how they are different or what they are though. I have even tried a google search on physiatrists and can find some info but nothing that would relate to the surgery. Thank you for replying though Nancy

You're right.. sorry, wasn't paying very close attention. That's what I get for speed reading. I've never heard of a physiatrist -- what's the name of the doctor they're sending you to? Is it possible that that they just made a typo? Stef

Nope, no typo. Believe it or not it is an actual kind of doctor. They had mentioned something about checking the mobility of your limbs and joints and making sure that after the surgery your body is capable of first recovering and then second of moving around after surgery. I am honestly not at all familiar and that is why I was hoping that someone else has had this test. I do not think that anyone else has had to have this. Hopefully it is not going to be a big deal and I will get my release from him and then they can and will finally submit to my insurance for their approval. I know that they they are not even going to approve the first time out because they need 6 months of a supervised diet. I am two months into that so I still have 4 more months!!! You will be long on your way to being a "looser" and I will be getting approved!! That will be a good day for both of us Thanks Nancy

From the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Physiatrists treat acute and chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders. They may see a person who lifts a heavy object at work and experiences back pain, a basketball player who sprains an ankle and needs rehabilitation to play again, or a knitter who has carpal tunnel syndrome. Physiatrists' patients include people with arthritis, tendonitis, any kind of back pain, and work- or sports-related injuries. Physiatrists also treat serious disorders of the musculoskeletal system that result in severe functional limitations. They would treat a baby with a birth defect, someone in a bad car accident, or an elderly person with a broken hip. Physiatrists coordinate the long-term rehabilitation process for patients with spinal cord injuries, cancer, stroke or other neurological disorders, brain injuries, amputations, and multiple sclerosis. Physiatrists practice in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and in private offices. They often have broad practices, but some concentrate on one area such as pediatrics, sports medicine, geriatric medicine, brain injury, or many other special interests. =========================== It's interesting that there is a requirement for this kind of consult prior to a surgery...it seems as though there is a concern that you may need physical therapy post-op?? Is this an insurance, surgeon, or PCP requirement?? It seems odd, unless you have some sort of condition that would predispose you to reduced mobility after surgery. BTW, I originally read this as a typo for psychiatrist myself...sorry! It's all new to me...never heard of this kind of doc before...learn something new everyday! Good luck, Jennifer

I thought it was a strange requirement too. I have not heard of anyone else needing this consult either. It is my surgeon who is requiring it. I have my appointment on Thursday, I will have to let everyone know what he says when I am there, hopefully he will have a clue as to why I am there Thank you everyone!!! Nancy

I had to go for an evaluation at the local hospital's Physical Therapy Department. I don't know if it's the same kind of eval or not. They measured my strength, ability to do certain exercises, flexibility etc...

I think that is what I have to do. What did they do exactly? Did you have to go back after surgery for follow-up? I have never heard of anyone else doing this, I want all of your input. Thank you, Nancy

Let's see.... It was a LONG appt, and they were SO nice there. The had me 1st fill out a bunch of paperwork about aches and pains I currently have (sciatic/back/leg pain is chronic for me), and fill out diagrams to show exactly where each pain that I have is, and rate it on a scale of 1 - 10. Then, I laid down on a table while she moved my hips around, my legs, arms - pretty much everything to get my range of motion ability. Then, the same kind of thing laying on my stomach. I stood and she checked my balance on each foot, how far I could bend forward and back, side-to-side. Nothing too painful, although I was sore later on in the evening! She talked about giving me some exercises after surgery to help my sciatic and leg pain (and my back pain is ALREADY 90% better after my surgery on 9/21!!!!!). I haven't been back yet, but I will in a couple weeks, and then once every month or so. She said she could also work with my fitness center staff at my employer so that they can work with me during the week once I return to work.