Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The Neurorehabilitation program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston offers comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for people who have neurologic conditions, many of which cause severe disabilities. 

We regularly treat people who have suffered a stroke or who have cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. A particular area of focus is treating patients whose mobility, strength and independence have been compromised by a stroke.

For patients who are disabled by a neuromuscular disorder such as cerebral palsy, our program offers highly coordinated and personalized care. Our program features experts who are adept at diagnosing disabling disorders. We work closely with patients and their families, doctors and physical, occupational and speech therapists to ensure they receive the continuous care they need to lead the most rewarding and comfortable lives.

For patients who have suffered a stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury, we begin working with them in our hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) or post-operative recovery unit. While such a patient typically receives care from multiple specialists, such as neurosurgeons, neurologists and/or orthopaedic surgeons, our physiatrists often will be the doctors who get to know the patient best, factoring in every aspect of the patient's health, including his or her medical conditions, goals and lifestyle preferences.

In fact, our physiatry team often is entrusted to plan and oversee the patient’s total care, from hospital to rehabilitation center (if necessary), all the way to returning home or other permanent living facility, depending on the patient’s needs. Additionally, one of our physiatrists will tailor a personalized care plan for each patient and collaborate with the patient’s primary care physician, therapists (e.g., physical, occupational and speech) and other specialists (e.g., orthopaedists, neurologists, cardiologists and psychiatrists).

Continuous, individualized care

When a patient returns home or to another living facility, our physiatrists’ work isn’t finished. Disabling conditions may require care that lasts a lifetime, and some stroke patients who have appeared to be fully recovered may encounter complications that need attention a year or more after their discharge from the hospital.

Many relationships we have with patients aren’t formed in the ICU. Instead, they begin when they or their physicians realize a doctor with expertise in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is needed to manage their pain or overcome issues interfering with restoring function, mobility and/or strength.

Best of all, all of our physiatrists share a bond in that they care deeply about helping people with disabilities and have dedicated their practice, research and studying to this purpose.