Redefine Healthcare is excited to announce our new physical therapist, Dr. Bhumi Patel, PT, DPT as our newest addition to the Physical Therapy Division.

Educational Background

While Dr. Bhumi Patel is Redefine Healthcare’s new physical therapist, she is not new to the world of physical therapy. Dr. Bhumi Patel received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Seton Hall University in New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She is certified in Blood Flor Restriction Training and LSVT-BIG Program. Dr. Patel has worked in a variety of settings including home-care and outpatient clinics, with prior internships as a student in sub-acute rehab and acute hospital care. She is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Specialties

By incorporating evidence-based literature into her treatment program, Dr. Patel strives to keep her patients engaged and active in the community. Aside from treating musculoskeletal and spine disorders, Dr. Patel has a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation. With a passion for movement science, Dr. Patel has been treating patients with orthopedic, neurologic, gait, and balance diagnoses at Redefine Healthcare. Dr. Patel believes in providing excellent care to her patients with empathy and compassion to help them reach their functional goals in their recovery process. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family, hiking, and traveling.

If you would like more information about our new physical therapist or Physical Therapy Division, please contact us at (732) 313-2610.

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Redefine Healthcare offers nerve conduction studies to help diagnose a variety of conditions and help determine the best course of treatment.

What Is A Nerve Conduction Study?

A nerve conduction study, or NCS, is a procedure that measures the speed with which electrical impulses move through specific nerves. During this test, your physician will attach electrodes to your skin to stimulate the nerves. Two electrodes will be placed over the nerve on your skin, one of which will stimulate the nerve with a mild electrical pulse, while the other records the result. This process may be repeated for multiple nerves to find the source of the problem. Electromyography is a related test that measures electrical activity in the muscles; both tests may be performed at the same time.

Who Needs A Nerve Conduction Study?

NCS is used for a variety of conditions including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Patient’s with carpal tunnel syndrome often experience pain and numbness in the fingers or hand as the median nerve becomes compressed at the wrist by enlarged ligaments or tendons.
• Guillain-Barre syndrome. In this syndrome, the immune system attacks the body’s peripheral nervous system resulting in tingling or weakness in the legs.
• Herniated disc. Sometimes, the fibrous cartilage around the spinal discs breaks down, forcing the center of the disc outwards. This herniation places pressure on the nearby nerves, leading to pain and damage to the nerve itself.
• Sciatic nerve issues. Sciatic nerve problems have many causes. Most commonly, sciatic nerve conditions are caused by herniated or ruptured spinal discs that are pressing against the nerves, causing pain, numbness, or tingling.

These are a few examples of conditions and symptoms that may warrant NCS; speak with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness to determine whether NCS may be right for you.

How Do I Prepare For An NCS?

If your healthcare provider recommends an NCS, they will give you instructions to prepare for the procedure. You should follow your physician’s instructions carefully. However, in general, you can expect the following guidelines for preparation:

• Sign a consent form that explains the procedure and provides your permission.
• No special diet restrictions; sedation is not usually necessary.
• Dress warmly; low body temperature will slow the nerve conduction.
• Inform your care team of all medications and supplements you take, both prescription and over-the-counter.
• Dress in comfortable clothes that provide easy access to the treatment area.
• Avoid using any oils or lotions on the skin before the procedure.

What Happens After An NCS?

After the procedure, you or your provider will remove the electrodes from your skin. You may return immediately to your normal activities; no downtime is necessary unless your provider instructs you differently. In some cases, avoiding strenuous activity for the remainder of the day is recommended. If you have any questions, contact Redefine Healthcare and schedule a consultation to determine if NCS is right for you.

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Redefine Healthcare announced today that they would be offering same-day, minimally-invasive pain treatments at their four New Jersey locations: Union, Clifton, Edison, and Paterson. Patients now have some options for quick pain relief depending on their individual needs. Redefine Healthcare offers the following five minimally-invasive pain relief treatments, among others.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a procedure often used on patients who have sustained compression fractures of the spine. During this procedure, the patient lies face down, and the physician inserts a thin tube into the injured vertebra via a small incision. A special balloon is inserted and inflated, which pushes the caps of the fractured vertebra apart, restoring the structure as carefully as possible to its normal shape. The balloon is then removed, and the space created is filled with bone cement to maintain the shape. Kyphoplasty is most effective when performed within eight weeks of the onset of the injury.

Vertebroplasty

Similar to kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty is used to reduce pain after a compression fracture of the spine. During this procedure, bone cement is injected directly into the interior body of the vertebra. Compression fractures likely to respond well to vertebroplasty are commonly seen in patients with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is most often seen in post-menopausal women, but it can also affect women and men with hormonal imbalances. Tumors are another reason for the weakening and fracturing of the spine. Delaying treatment can lead to the fracture collapsing further and being more difficult or impossible to treat appropriately.

M.I.L.D. (Minimally-Invasive Lumbar Decompression)

M.I.L.D. is used to treat patients with LSS (lumbar spinal stenosis). LSS refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes the nerves to be compressed. This condition can cause pain and numbness, as well as difficulty with standing and walking.

M.I.L.D is an innovative x-ray-guided percutaneous treatment that can reduce pain and increase mobility while preserving the spine’s structural integrity. “The procedure offers people an alternative to open spine surgery that is still effective and allows them to stay active and maintain their independence and quality of life,” says a spokesperson from Redefine Healthcare.

M.I.L.D. is performed under sedation through a tiny incision. The surgeon will guide a unique tool between the bones, scrape out the ligament, and make the spinal canal wider to minimize nerve compression. They will also inject contrast material into the epidural space to help with positioning and ensure precise placement throughout the procedure.

Patients typically recover quickly from M.I.L.D., as spinal mechanics are not disrupted, and the bony architecture of the spine is undisturbed. Most patients return home the same day and begin the rehab program that includes regular walking and participation in physical therapy for optimal healing.

Percutaneous Decompression

Percutaneous decompression is useful for patients experiencing pain, numbness, or other difficulties related to a herniated (bulging) lumbar disc. This condition typically causes pain in the lower back that may radiate down one or both legs and feet. During percutaneous decompression, radio waves are used to dissolve the excess disc tissue, relieving the pressure on the nerves. This treatment can be done on an outpatient basis because complications are unlikely.

Endoscopic Foraminotomy

Endoscopic foraminotomy is used to reduce neural pressure caused by a herniated disc, bony spurs, scar tissue, and other spinal conditions. Many patients achieve pain relief with this procedure, even when other treatments have been unsuccessful. A back surgeon inserts a special endoscope into the spinal nerve canal and removes a small piece of bone to open the nerve canal. During the procedure, any bone spurs or scar tissue can also be removed.

Because these treatments are minimally invasive, they generally have shorter recovery times, and patients can usually return home the same day. For more information, contact Redefine Healthcare.

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If you could visualize your nervous system, you would see an incredible branching structure that radiates from the spine and ultimately reaches all the parts of your body. Some of these nerves are long, including the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower spine down into the legs. Sciatica is the name for a painful condition in which the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or pinched due to spinal compression or, in some cases, herniated discs. Other causes for this common concern can include the development of bone spurs near the nerve and a very sedentary lifestyle.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a common condition experienced by millions of Americans per year. Characterized by pain, tingling, or numbness in the lower back, buttocks, and legs, the sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down both legs. Injury, compression, or entrapment of the lumbar nerves is among the most common causes of sciatica; the nerve can be compromised by herniated discs, degenerative joint disease, trauma, muscle spasms, degenerative disc disease, or tightness of the piriformis muscle.

Sciatica Symptoms

The most typical sign of sciatica is lower back pain that often radiates down one side of the body into the leg through the buttock. In extreme cases, the pain may reach the knee or even the foot. Sciatica can create an array of other symptoms, including:

• Weakness and instability in the affected leg.
• Persistent pain when walking or standing for reasonable periods.
• Spasms.
• Tingling sensations or protracted numbness, or both.
• Pain begins with physical activity and subsides quickly when resting.

You may notice that pain from sciatica worsens in cold weather. Muscles tightening up in chilly temperatures can cause the compression of your sciatic nerve to flare up, as air pressure changes that often accompany cold fronts. Dress warmly and consider using electric heating pads in the evening to keep your muscles loose.

Non-Invasive Treatment Choices

Persistent sciatica pain can be frustrating and restrictive, especially if you experience flare-ups when moving about and engaging in daily activities. However, mild sciatica often responds well to non-surgical treatments, many of which patients can navigate independently. Some of the most effective self-care measures for sciatica include:

• Avoiding problematic activities and resting more frequently during periods of irritation
• Using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and pain
• Engaging in some forms of exercise reduces sciatic nerve inflammation. Explore this option
  with your doctor.

In some cases, doctors may prescribe patients pain-relieving injections or steroids to help control the pain. A change in activity will sometimes resolve the issue; other times, the pain can persist through these first levels of treatment.

Does Sciatica Ever Require Surgery?

Doctors manage severe cases of sciatica differently. Injections, such as nerve blockers or prescription muscle relaxants may help patients find relief. If pain continues or worsens beyond these treatments, however, your doctor may suggest surgery as an option for correcting the issue.

Doctors often suggest surgery when sciatica leads to muscle atrophy in chronic cases. In a surgical procedure to relieve sciatica concerns, your practitioner will seek to free the nerve from the adverse conditions causing it to radiate pain signals.

At Redefine Healthcare, we are fully equipped to assist patients in understanding and treating not only sciatica but many other acute and chronic pain conditions as well. Reach out now to schedule an appointment or to find helpful answers to your questions about this condition.

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No one wants to suffer an injury while on the job, but it can and does happen—sometimes much more easily than workers may expect. These risks are a large part of why workers’ compensation systems exist: to help manage the risk and provide for workers hurt while on duty. What are some of the most common injuries individuals face at work?

In many cases, these injuries have to do with the back. Being aware of the risks can help to improve worker vigilance in guarding against injury while making it easier to recognize when something is not right.

Muscle Sprains and Strains

Perhaps the most common of workplace injuries, many workers experience sprains and strains in the muscles of the back each year. Improper lifting form is the most common cause.

Strains can be severe but don’t often result in lasting damage since this type of injury is caused merely by an over-extension or overuse of the affected muscle. Sprains, though, can involve the tearing of ligaments and are often more severe. Sprains can occur when a worker is trying to lift too much quickly or as a result of other workplace trauma.

Slipped/Herniated Discs

In between each of the vertebrae in your spine is a soft pad of cartilage called a disc. Not only does each disc help cushion your spine from impacts, but discs are also what you use to bend and straighten your back.

Severe strain over time can cause these discs to “slip,”; protruding from the spine and pressing onto sensitive nerves. While this condition often causes acute pain, slipped discs can also become a chronic concern and, in some cases, will require surgery to fully correct.

Pinched Nerves

A common side effect of a herniated disc is a “pinched nerve.” A pinched nerve in the back occurs when a nerve becomes compressed by an outside force. This catalyst can be a slipped disc, or it can be the result of bony protrusions from the spine, among other conditions.

Sciatica is one common condition that results from pinched nerves, sending pain shooting down into the leg. Radiating pain is often one of the telltale signs of this condition.

Repetitive Strain Injuries

While many people think of RSIs as wrist-related conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, they can occur in the back as well. Consider a loading dock worker in a warehouse, for example, who must consistently bend down, lift, and stack boxes at or above chest height for weeks at a time. The muscles in the back can weaken and become painful as a result of an RSI while increasing the worker’s risk for sprains, strains, and disc issues.

Here are a few reasons why you should choose Redefine Healthcare for all your workers’ compensation issues.

Same-Day Appointments And A 24-hour Turnaround On Documentation

When an employee sustains an injury at work, it is important for him or her to see a doctor right away for several reasons. Even if the injury seems minor, getting appropriate medical care promptly is essential.

First, early treatment gives an employee the best possible chance of a full recovery—a priority for employees, their families, and their employers. Second, waiting too long to seek treatment creates a larger challenge for employers and insurance companies in determining whether the injury or medical condition is work-related. “Toughing it out” is one of the biggest mistakes that people make when they get hurt at work. Doing so can impede recovery and affect the benefits that workers’ comp coverage provides.

We make time for same-day appointments to help people dealing with workers’ comp claims get the care they need when they need it.

Dedicated Workers’ Compensation Liaison

An injured employee dealing with the workers’ comp process often has a lot to juggle: scheduling and attending doctor’s appointments or hospital visits, obtaining necessary prescription medications and medical equipment, and participating in regular physical therapy sessions, for example. Our dedicated workers’ comp liaison is there to assist everyone involved–the employee, the employer, the doctors, and the insurance company–with seamless communication.

This person helps by serving as a point of contact for all parties, providing information to insurance adjusters, validating the information provided by the worker, and confirming treatment authorization and doctors’ visits. Workers’ comp can be complicated, and having a dedicated liaison trained to handle these cases is a huge help.

Non-Surgical, Interventional Care

We focus on non-surgical, interventional treatments whenever possible because of their advantages over traditional surgical procedures. Non-surgical interventional treatments are typically less costly than surgery; they also have shorter recovery times and fewer risks. Examples of these types of treatments include physical therapy, epidural injections, nerve blocks, biofeedback, and education on lifestyle changes. We tailor treatment to the individual patient and always do everything that we can to treat the problem effectively using non-invasive, non-surgical methods.

If you suffer a work-related back injury, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation to offset the cost of treatment and missing work due to pain. If you suspect you’ve hurt your back, speak to a doctor without delay to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. In the meantime, take care to observe good habits that can reduce the risk of workplace back injuries, such as proper lifting procedures and regular rest breaks.

The post Four Common Injuries People Get On The Job appeared first on NJ's Top Orthopedic Spine & Pain Management Center.

Redefine Healthcare is proud to announce it can now provide patients with a new, cutting-edge method for the treatment of chronic back and leg pain: spinal cord stimulation. Using a simple, implantable device, many patients experience a significant and prolonged reduction in their daily pain levels. With fewer adverse side effects and a treatment tailored to the individual, this option can foster a more active and enjoyable lifestyle.

Spinal cord stimulators are a class of medical device that relies on a small electrical generator to create pulses of energy that disrupt nerves which consistently signal pain to the brain. An excellent choice for patients experiencing sciatica and those with herniated or degenerating discs, SCS systems also work well for the treatment of other chronic lower body pains. With the latest SCS technology provided by NEVRO, patients can experience a notable improvement.

Spinal Cord Stimulation Explained.

Nerves communicate with the brain through electrical impulses, and pain signals are no different. However, damaged nerves or those affected by a condition such as a herniated disc will send these pain signals to the brain incessantly. Thus, a patient experiences chronic pain. By disrupting and blocking these signals with countering electrical impulses, the pain signals will not reach the brain. By implanting wires near the spinal column, SCS systems can affect the nerves near the affected areas, in effect shutting down their ability to tell the brain to experience pain.

The Benefits Of NEVRO Solutions.

Redefine Healthcare has chosen the HF10 therapy system by NEVRO due to its proven ability to deliver a better quality of life for patients. Designed as a system to provide more freedom, patients can sleep comfortably and even drive without interference. Where other SCS systems can cause unpleasant and sudden shocks during everyday movements such as bending over, NEVRO’s HF10 therapy avoids this problem altogether. Another common side effect, a persistent tingling known as paresthesia, has been eliminated with the NEVRO system. Combined with an elevated level of reliability and a track record of results, this treatment path offers an essential choice for relief.

What Patients Experience During This Procedure.

In nearly every case, implantation of an SCS occurs on an outpatient basis. Typically, a trial period is undertaken first to assess the patient’s comfort level and response to the therapy. Patients will have tiny insulated wires implanted beneath the skin into the affected areas identified for treatment. The electrical pulse generator is worn externally for the short trial period. Then, the wires are easily removed if the patient does not reach a certain pain reduction threshold. Once identified as a viable strategy for a patient’s relief, the doctor will implant the battery-powered generator beneath the skin. This system functions automatically to block the pain signals continuously. The procedure is short, and the effects begin immediately after its conclusion.

This proven therapy offers a new way forward for many patients with chronic pain. To discuss the possibilities of using this treatment yourself, contact Redefine Healthcare today.

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