Neuro-Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

At Arkansas Children’s, rehabilitation goals start from the moment a child is born or diagnosed with a neurological or any other issue needing rehabilitation services. Our team works together to diagnose and determine the optimal treatment plan for improved quality of life, including physical medicine and rehabilitation care. Some the conditions that may require rehabilitation include:

• Acute amputations
• Anoxic brain injury
• Burns
• Brain tumors
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental motor delays 
• Congenital Loss of limb
• Muscular dystrophy
• Muscular-skeletal disorders
• Spina bifida
• Spinal cord injuries
• Strokes
• Traumatic brain injury

In addition, children in our intensive care unit (ICU) are assessed and then our team recommends rehabilitation services as soon as they are stable. Our highly skilled team of rehabilitation specialists works collaboratively to help ensure that each patient gets the care they need to improve their condition and effectively increase mobility, form and function. Our rehabilitation team includes:

• Physician team captain
• Patient and Family
• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Speech therapist
• Rehabilitation nurse
• Social worker
• School teacher
• Child life specialist
• Discharge planner

We hold team meetings with our inpatient rehabilitation members to discuss patient progress and update families.
Outpatient rehabilitation services are available as well. They can be especially helpful for children with cerebral palsy, congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities, disabilities, brain injury and other neurological conditions.

Specialized Respiratory Care for Ventilator Patients

Arkansas Children’s has the only health system rehabilitation program in the state that cares for children on ventilators. Our pulmonologists work closely with physical medicine and rehabilitation providers to support the unique respiratory assistance needs of children and their families. 

Specialized Equipment: Orthotic and Prosthetic Services

The skilled orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) providers at Arkansas Children’s help patients with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs, lower limbs, spine, torso and head. With the appropriate equipment, we help with the proper alignment of bones and joints, assist with weak and dysfunctional muscles and replace missing limbs to restore mobility. 
Our orthotics and prosthetics services are available to patients in the hospital and on an outpatient basis. Our goal is to provide the specialized equipment each child needs to achieve their personal level of success. 

Same Day Appointments Assist Patient and Family

Depending on availability, we coordinate same day appointments for interdisciplinary evaluation and treatment by specialists including:

• Audiology
• Occupational therapy
• Orthotics and prosthetics
• Physical therapy
• Psychology
• Radiology
• Social work
• Speech therapy

Outside therapists and teachers are also welcome to attend rehabilitation with children and families when appropriate. 
Periodically, we offer outreach clinics in various communities for children with a peripheral nerve injury, neuromuscular disease or muscular disease. While this is not a substitute for a primary care physician, it is available for consultation on any disability-related medical issue.

To Learn More About Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 

Our rehabilitation clinic is available by physician referral. If you would like your child to be referred to Arkansas Children's, please have your doctor call 501-364-4000. If your child does not have a regular physician, please call 501-364-4000 and we will be happy to recommend one in your area.