Margarita Correa MD - Physical Medicine Institute

Physical Medicine Institute mission is to promote the health and well being of the population by providing accessible, high-quality medical care for all ages.
Practicing Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for adults and pediatrics with the main goal to provide the best medical care, improve function and quality of life.

A Physiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that provides non-surgical approach in treating and diagnosing conditions or injuries related to the musculo-skeletal and neurological systems. A Physiatrist individually designs a treatment program customized to the patients needs, provides a comprehensive approach to pain and focus on improving function and quality of life.

Services Provided:

*Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS): a test that help in diagnosis of nerves, muscles, neuromuscular junction and motor neuron disorders. NCS and needle EMG are also critically important in the diagnosis of: Peripheral Nerve Entrapments (e.g. Median Neuropathy - carpal tunnel syndrome, Ulnar Neuropathy - cubital tunnel syndrome, Peroneal/Fibular Neuropathy - usually manifested as a foot drop; Plantar Neuropathy - tarsal tunnel syndrome); Facial Nerve Palsy; Peripheral Nerve Injuries such as brachial and lumbosacral plexus injury; Myopathies and Muscular Dystrophies; Neuromuscular Junction Disorders (e.g. Myaesthenia Gravis); Motor Neuron Disease (e.g. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis); Generalized Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g. Diabetic Neuropathy, Alcoholic Neuropathy, Hereditary Neuropathies, Guillain Barre Syndrome)

*Injections for soft tissue conditions such as bursitis, tendinitis, trigger points

*Prolotherapy - stimulates the repair of injured, damaged ligaments and tendons. It involves the injection of natural substances (along with anesthetics so the injections don't hurt that much) at the exact site of an injury to stimulate the immune system to repair the area. The exact term for the natural healing process that occurs after an injury is inflammation. Thus, Prolotherapy causes an inflammatory reaction at the exact site of injuries to such structures as ligaments, tendons, muscles, joint capsules, and cartilage to stimulate these structures to heal.

*BOTOX injections for management of pain and spasticity - these are performed either EMG or nerve stimulation guided. The botulinum toxin when injected relaxes the muscle to reduced muscle tone and spasticity to improve function of the extremity or neck and decrease pain. The benefit of the BOTOX injection usually last up to 4-5 months depending on the condition treated and is found to be beneficial is repeated.

*Lymphedema evaluation and management - We provide a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and management for adults and pediatric patients with lymphedema; and othe kinds of edemas such as venous edema (phlebo-lymphedema), lipedema (lipo-lymphedema). Lymphedema can be a silent condition, sometimes not recognized for years. The most important is to properly diagnosed the condition to provide adequate treatment and prevent complications such as recurrent infections. Treatment consists of manual lymphatic drainage, complex decongestive therapy, compression bandages, skin care, education on self massage, exercises, proper use of compression garments/devices; fitting of compression stockings, sleeves, gloves, etc and other compression garments and devices.

*Cancer Rehabilitation Program - a supervised program for people who have undergone treatment for cancer. People who have survived cancer may have physical, emotional, and social issues that affect their quality of life, no matter what kind of cancer they have been treated for. Cancer rehabilitation programs can often improve function, reduce pain, and improve the well being of cancer patients and survivors.

*Indpendent Medical Examinations (IME's)

*Workers' Compensation Evaluations

*Disability Evaluations


Founder: Margarita Correa MD

Medical School: University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, 1976 - 1980

Residency: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, 1980 - 1984

Certifications:
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
ABPMR, Pain Medicine
ABPMR, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
American Board of Independent Medical Examiners

Former Medical Director of Centro Fisiátrico Americo Miranda Inc, private practice in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1985 - 2008

Former Professor of the Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Department, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1984 – 2008