Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for infants, children and adults with acute, sub-acute or chronic illnesses of the nervous, muscular or skeletal systems. The rehabilitation team, includes a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatrist), rehabilitation psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, nurses, and other appropriate specialists.Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation services include consultation, evaluation, electrodiagnostic testing, follow up care and referral services for individuals with rehabilitative needs. The Department operates a twelve bed inpatient rehabilitation service at the University of Colorado Hospital and a twenty-five bed unit at The Children's Hospital. The Department also provides outpatient medical services at both sites.
Rehabilitation Outpatient Services at the University of Colorado Hospital include:
Amputee Program
This program provides the most comprehensive, coordinated approach to amputee care in the Rocky Mountain region. The Amputee Program utilizes the most advanced lower limb components as well as state-of-the-art myoelectric upper limb components in an interdisciplinary clinic setting, including prosthetists and therapists. Appointments can be made by calling 720-848-1980.
CU Sports Medicine
This multi-disciplinary program focuses on the comprehensive treatment of sports injuries, including evaluation and treatment of athletic injuries, surgery, electrodiagnostic testing, and women's sports medicine. Physiatrists and/or orthopedic surgeons cover this service as well as provide team coverage for the University of Colorado Buffalos and the Denver University Pioneers. The program serves as a model collaboration between Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Surgery. Appointments in Denver can be made by calling 303-871-7752. Appointments in Boulder can be made by calling 303-441-2219.
Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Program (EMG)
This program provides comprehensive studies of nerve conduction and muscle function with electromyography, clarifies pathology in the nerve and muscles, including neuromuscular disease, peripheral neuropathy or nerve entrapment, and studies neuromuscular junction function. Appointments can be made by calling 720-848-1980.
General Rehabilitation Program
This program provides evaluation, diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients with a variety of rehabilitative conditions. Appointments can be made by calling 720-848-1980.
Peripheral Nerve Injury Program
The Nerve Injury Program provides neurosurgical and rehabilitation consultation, EMG testing, pain evaluation and treatment, as well as physical and occupational therapy in the design of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals with peripheral nerve injuries. Appointments can be made by calling 720-848-1980.
Rehabilitation Psychology Program
This program provides rehabilitation psychology services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Services include psychological assessment, testing and ongoing treatment. Areas typically addressed include quality of life, changes in self-esteem and body image, lifestyle changes/adaptation, return to work issues and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Appointments can be made by calling (720) 848-1980.
Spine Center
The spine center is a multi-disciplinary service focusing on the comprehensive treatment of back and neck disorders. Housed at the new Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion at the University of Colorado's Fitzsimons campus, the Spine Center provides physician evaluation, physical therapy, interventional pain management, and surgery. This program serves as a model collaboration between Rehabilitation Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery and Neurosurgery. Appointments can be made by calling 720-848-1980.
Tone Management Program
This program offers comprehensive evaluation of individuals with gait dysfunction, including spasticity utilization motion analysis, interdisciplinary assessment with PT and EMG testing. Treatment strategies include nerve blocks, medical management, intrathecal baclofen, bracing, and referral for orthopedic intervention. Appointments can be made by calling (720) 848-1980.
Other Rehabilitation Services offered at the University of Colorado Hospital:
The Center for Integrative Medicine
Located at the Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, the Center is the first of its kind in Colorado. The Center combines the best practices in conventional, allopathic medicine with proven practices of complementary and alternative medicine. The program is physician managed and offers classes, health and wellness consultations, manual therapies, chiropractic, nutritional counseling, herbal supplement counseling, mind-body therapies and traditional Chinese medicine. Appointments can be made by calling 720-848-1090.
Rehabilitation Therapies
University of Colorado Hospital's rehabilitation therapies provide the most highly skilled therapeutic services in the Rocky Mountain region in the areas of physical, occupational and speech therapy. All therapists are licensed and certified. Therapy programs and specialty services include:
— Musculoskeletal Injuries
— Sports Injuries
— Amputation (upper and lower)
— Neurologic Conditions - MS, MD, ALS, etc.
— Stroke
— Balance Disorders
— Hand Therapy
— Work Conditioning and Ergonomic Assessment
— Swallowing Disorders
— Language and Cognitive Disorders
— Neurologic and Traumatic Voice Disorders
— Aquatic Rehabilitation
— Lymphodema Rehabilitation
Appointments can be made by calling 720-848-2000.
Rehabilitation Outpatient Services at The Children's Hospital include:
Amputee Clinic
The Clinic provides evaluation and ongoing medical management for children with amputations from birth to age 21. Recommendations are made regarding prosthetic fitting and training through physical and/or occupational therapy. An orthopedic surgeon, pediatric physiatrist, physical therapist, social worker, occupational therapist, and certified prosthetist staff this Clinic. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6573.
Assistive Technology Center
The Center provides assessment of the potential a child has to use assistive technology in daily living activities. This clinic evaluates three main areas: positioning and mobility, access, and communication and learning enhancement. A physiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, and a learning specialist staff the clinic. Appointments can be made by calling 303-315-1282.
Combined Ortho-Rehab Clinic
The clinic provides children with cerebral palsy, ages birth to 21 years, with ongoing management and evaluation of concerns related to comfort, seating tone management, and activities of daily living: recommendations and implementation regarding surgery and medical management. Orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, and nurses staff this clinic. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6600.
General Rehab Clinic
The clinic provides evaluation and diagnosis for children who have difficulties with motor, language, cognitive, social, behavioral, emotional, and/or adaptive skills. Rehabilitation programs are designed to alleviate the physical and nonphysical consequences of the disability. Progress, outcomes, and future needs for the children's rehabilitation regimen are monitored. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6573.
Muscle Clinic
The clinic provides evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of children and adolescents with neuromuscular diseases. The clinic also provides children and families with genetic counseling and support services. The specialists who staff this clinic are generally from physiatry, neurology, orthopaedics, social work, genetics, pulmonary, physical therapy and nursing. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6573.
Seating and Mobility Clinic
This clinic provides evaluation of positioning and mobility needs and makes recommendations of special seating and mobility devices/wheelchairs that will provide optimal function and are geared primarily for children with neuromuscular, developmental or orthopedic disabilities. A more extensive evaluation of seating and mobility, including powered systems, may be obtained in conjunction with the Assistive Technology Clinic. This clinic is staffed by a physiatrist, physical therapist, certified orthotist, and qualified equipment vendors. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6573.
Spinal Defects Clinic
This clinic provides children with myelomeningocele and spinal cord injury with ongoing management and rehabilitation intervention that will facilitate growth and development and enhance maximum functional independence. This clinic is staffed by specialists in physiatry, nursing, orthopaedics, urology, neurosurgery, social work, pediatric psychology, genetics, physical therapy, and nutrition. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6573.
Tone Management Clinic
This clinic provides comprehensive evaluation of children with significant tone management issues and makes recommendations for a variety of interventions, including baclofen pump replacement, botulinum toxin (botox) injections, phenol blocks, and selective dorsal rhizotomies. The clinic is staffed by a physiatrist, neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, and a nurse. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6573.
Additional Clinic Procedures/Services at The Children's Hospital:
Phenol or Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections.
These procedures that temporarily loosen tight (spastic or increased tone) muscles so they can be stretched out and opposing muscles strengthened. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6573.
Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies
Studies nerve conduction and muscle function with electromyography, clarifies pathology in the nerve and muscles, including neuromuscular disease, peripheral neuropathy or nerve entrapment, and studies neuromuscular junction function. Appointments can be made by calling 303-861-6573.
Center for Gait and Movement Analysis
The Center provides computerized motion analysis in a multifaceted, multidisciplinary approach for evaluating patients with complex movement problems. State-of-the-art equipment provides video, dynamic joint angles, joint loads, electromyography, and foot pressure information used to enhance the clinical decision making and functional outcomes for patients with complex movement problems that cannot be adequately assessed with the human eye. A team of highly professional staff consisting of two medical directors, a PhD-trained lab director, full-time physical therapist, and a kinesiologist operate the lab. All have advanced degrees related to biomechanics, motion analysis, or physical therapy certification and several years of experience and training in a motion lab setting. Appointments can be made by calling 303-864-5805.
Other Services Offered by the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation:
Physical Therapy Faculty Practice
The Physical Therapy Program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center offers outpatient physical therapy services emphasizing the clinical expertise of faculty members. This expertise includes consultation, screening, examination, evaluation and intervention for all age groups. Appointments can be made by calling 303-372-9150.
The Department participates in several interdisciplinary programs, including a Pain Management Program with the Department of Anesthesiology, the Multiple Sclerosis Program with the Department of Neurology, the Tone Program with the Department of Neurology, and the Spine Program with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation faculty offer unique skills and perspectives in addressing medical and therapeutic interventions.
Research interests in the Department include motion analysis, human performance, traumaticbrain injury, tone management, burn rehabilitation, burn deconditioning, muscle fatigue, traumatic brain injury, assistive technology, cognitive disabilities and outcomes research.
The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine houses the doctorate program in Physical Therapy. Contact the PT program at 303-372-9144 for more details.
Assistive Technology Partners
This multi-disciplinary program provides assessments for children and adults who would benefit from the use of assistive technology in daily living activities. A physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech-language pathologist staff the clinic. Appointments can be made by calling 303-315-1282.
Physician-to-Physician Consults Only:
1-800-949-CUMD (2863)
Venu Akuthota, MD
Associate Professor, Spine Director, Residency Director
| Clinical Interests: | Low Back and Neck Pain, Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, Sports Medicine, Running Injuries |
| Medical School: | Northeastern Ohio |
| Residency: | Northwestern University;Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago |
| Fellowship: | Northwestern University, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Electrodiagnostic Medicine |
| For appointments call 720-848-1980 or 303-441-2219 | |
Leigh Anderson, MD
Associate Professor, Vice Chair
| Clinical Interests: | Electrodiagnosis, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, Musculoskeletal Medicine, Chronic Pain Rehabilitation |
| Medical School: | University of Nebraska |
| Residency: | University of Minnesota |
| Board Certification: | Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine |
| For appointments call 303-393-2819 | |
Donna Jo Blake, MD
Associate Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Amputee Rehabilitation, Wheelchair and Assistive Technology, Multiple Sclerosis Management, Spinal Cord Injury |
| Medical School: | University of Wisconsin |
| Residency: | University of Colorado |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| For appointments call 303-393-2819 | |
Michael Blei, MD
Associate Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Peripheral Nerve Injury, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Inpatient Rehabilitation Medicine, EMG |
| Medical School: | Vanderbilt University |
| Residency: | University of Utah |
| Fellowship: | University of Washington |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Electrodiagnostic Medicine |
| For appointments call 303-436-4949 | |
Victor Chang, MD
Assistant Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Trauma Rehabilitation, Stroke Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Rehabilitation |
| Medical School: | University of Michigan |
| Residency: | University of Washington |
| Fellowship: | Craig Hospital |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| For appointments call 720-848-1980 or 303-441-2219 | |
Nancy Cutter, M.D.
| For appointments call 303-393-2819 |
Heather Ene, MD
Assistant Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Post-Stroke Rehabilitation, Spasticity Management, Movement Disorders Rehabilitation |
| Medical School: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Residency: | Emory University School of Medicine |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| For appointments call 720-848-1980 | |
Susan Elizabeth Gallagher, MD
Senior Instructor
| Medical School: | University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine |
| Residency: | University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine |
| Fellowship: | University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine |
| Board Certification: | American Board of Pediatrics |
| For appointments call 720-777-2806 | |
Matthew Godleski, M.D.
| For appointments call 720-848-1980 |
Linda Hannen, P.T.
| For appointments call 303-724-9144 |
Amitbha Jha, MD
Assistant ProfessorCo-Residency Director
| Clinical Interests: | Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Central Nervous System Injuries and Disorders, General Rehabilitation |
| Medical School: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Residency: | University of Washington |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Medicine |
| For appointments call 303-436-4949 | |
Susan Ladley-O'Brien, MD
Assistant Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis and Spasticity |
| Medical School: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Residency: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Fellowship: | Neurotrauma at Craig Hospital |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine |
| For appointments call 303-436-8570 | |
Susan Loeffler, MA
Clinical Instructor
| Medical School: | University of Northern Arizona |
| Board Certification: | Physical Therapy |
| For appointments call 303-315-1282 | |
Dennis Matthews, MD
Associate Professor/Chair
| Clinical Interests: | Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Neuromuscular Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Gait Analysis |
| Medical School: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Residency: | University of Minnesota |
| Board Certification: | Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| For appointments call 720-777-2806 | |
Maureen Melonis, MNS, CCC, SLP
Senior Instructor, Assistive Director, Assistive Technology Partners
| Clinical Interests: | Communication and Language Disorders in Children |
| Medical School: | Arizona State University |
| Board Certification: | ASHA |
| For appointments call 303-315-1282 | |
Samuel Nortman, M.D.
| For appointments call 303-393-2819 |
Joyce Oleszek, MD
Assistant Professor
| Medical School: | Wayne State University |
| Residency: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Fellowship: | The Children's Hospital |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| For appointments call 720-777-2806 | |
Deborah Saint-Phard, MD
Assistant Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Women’s Sports Medicine, Electrodiagnosis |
| Medical School: | Temple University |
| Residency: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Fellowship: | Mayo Medical School |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Electrodiagnostic Medicine |
| For appointments call 720-848-8200 or 303-441-2219 | |
Danny Scott, MD
Associate Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Musculoskeletal Medicine, EMG, Interventional Pain Management Techniques, Multiple Sclerosis |
| Medical School: | University of Texas |
| Residency: | University of Texas |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| For appointments call 303-393-2819 | |
Ryan Stephenson, D.O.
| For appointments call 303-393-2819 |
Tamara Struessel, P.T.
| For appointments call 303-724-9144 |
William Sullivan, MD
Assistant Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Spine and Sports Rehabilitation, Spinal Injections, Electrodiagnostic Medicine |
| Medical School: | Emory University |
| Residency: | Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago/McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine |
| For appointments call 720-848-1980 | |
Jennifer Weis-Rodriguez, P.T.
| For appointments call 303-724-9144 |
Pamela Wilson, MD
Assistant Professor
| Clinical Interests: | Pediatric Rehab, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spina Bifida, Athletics in the Disabled, Sports Medicine in the Disabled |
| Medical School: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Residency: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Board Certification: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pediatrics |
| For appointments call 720-777-2806 | |
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
· Assistive Technology: Occupational Therapy
· Assistive Technology: Physical Therapy
· Assistive Technology: Speech Pathology
· Audiology
· Gait and Motion Analysis
· Physical Therapy
· Psychology