Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Research and innovation from physical medicine and rehabilitation experts at Vanderbilt Health
![Male staff guides an elderly woman to an MRI machine](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/02_ChenCaskey_neuroimaging-1024x597.jpg)
Ultrasound Breakthrough Treats Pain Noninvasively
Grant empowers researchers to test their fMRI-guided ultrasound system on essential tremor and post-stroke pain.
Read MoreLatest in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
![Fluoroscopic images showing bladder trabeculation (left) and vesicoureteral reflux (right) in patients with spina bifida.](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/01_Clayton_Botox-vs-AC-for-spina-bifida-bladder1-480x300.jpg)
Botox or AC for Children with Spina Bifida?
Botox use is on the rise, but study on decision factors reinforce important personal aspects of bladder management decisions.
![Close-up portrait of beautiful smiling disabled child in the arms of mother.](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/04_Martin_Cerebral-palsy-rehab-480x300.jpg)
Comprehensive, Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy
Clinicians from multiple specialties coalesce to identify and provide interventions for a heterogeneous population of affected children.
![Physician interacting with patient](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/3_Chitale_Cerebrovascular-studies-480x300.jpg)
Stroke and Aneurysm Treatment Scrutinized in Multiple Trials
Device improvements, drugs and registries for cerebrovascular disease are examined for their life-saving potential.
Partners in Care
Medical expertise infused with integrated technology allows Vanderbilt Health specialists to build partnerships and elevate care in complex and specialized cases. Browse our referral directory or log into our online portal for referring providers.
Make a Referral![From left, Paula Donahue, PT, DPT, MBA, Aaron Aday, MD, MSc, and Rachelle Crescenzi, PhD, are part of a multidisciplinary effort at VUMC to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lipedema.](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/03_Crescenzi_Lipedema-480x300.jpg)
Better Strategies for Diagnosing Lipedema
Vanderbilt researchers are leading the charge to ensure lipedema is no longer conflated with obesity.
![Home health worker greets person at door](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/03_Gains_New-model-for-stroke-care-480x300.jpg)
Mobile Stroke Teams Driven to Improve Incident Aftercare
After an encouraging pilot, a new Vanderbilt University Medical Center study is underway to measure the impact of stroke aftercare that extends beyond discharge.
![Older man looking confused in hospital](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/02_Han_Delirium-and-OT-PT-in-the-ED-480x300.jpg)
Therapy can Reduce Delirium in the ED
Intense PT and OT intervention improves overall functioning in older patients.
![Girl having wrist examined with ultrasound](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/05_Chew_Musculoskelatal-Radiology-480x300.jpg)
MSK Ultrasound Aids Early Arthritis Detection
The advent of musculoskeletal ultrasonography opens the door to earlier detection of arthritis and other rheumatological diseases.
![Woman with doctor showing shoulder pain](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/02_Dickinson_Rotator-cuff-480x300.jpg)
PT Best Approach for Atraumatic Rotator-Cuff Tears
The occurrence of a torn rotator cuff and onset of shoulder pain don’t always coincide, underscoring a need for caution before embarking on surgery.
![Child in wheelchair](https://discoveries.vanderbilthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/5_Kane_Catheter-480x300.jpg)
Self-Catheterization Guidance Prepares Families for Important Milestone
Occupational therapists play a critical role in improved toileting independence in pediatric patients with neurogenic bladder.