Yes, I agree with that, they seem to be more focused on rehab and recovery than possible long term conditions. He did my EMG/NCV test also.

The physiatrist I went to for my RSI did have a very good PT person that actually spent the time with me to evaluate and really understand what was best for my condition.
But the main focus was strengthening, which did work for me.
But it was also after I had been going to my chiro, so my alignment was good and the muscle spasms were mostly gone by then too.

If you are out of alignment - strengthening isn't really going to work until that part is addressed. Same with any muscle spasms or triggerpoints.

I went to a wonderful physiatrist for a couple years. He was up on the latest treatments for RSD. He prescribed a couple meds for me that others had not thought of. Unfortunately, he no longer sees patients because he is now the head of a department at the university where I saw him. After he moved up, they referred me to another physiatrist - and she flat told me that she knew nothing of RSD, spinal injury was her specialty...

This man was a physiatrist who actually treated people, I don't think he was involved at all in giving EMG's.

Years and Years ago, I went to a different physiatrist. This woman had not learned anything new about RSD in 30 years. She sent me for a triple phase bone scan, that was negative, because I only had RSD in the area scanned for about 6 weeks... to soon for any damage to show in the bones. She decided I did not have RSD and was malingering. There was no reasoning with her. Later, after being diagnosed by a specialist at Clev. Clinic, and other places, I sent copies of those Dr's reports to her along with a letter stating she should learn some updated treatments and diagnosis for RSD if she was going to see people with it... I explained that because she didn't know what she was doing, it delayed my getting appropriate treatment. I never heard from her.

So, I have seen 3 physiatrists. One blew me off, one admitted she didn't know about RSD, and the other was great.

I think it is like all doctors - some are outstanding and others are a nightmare.

Dear TJ,

I am sorry to hear about your pain and stress levels. I am not a WC case either, but I have had experience with psysiatrists. After two crush injuries in my feet (calcaneal/tibia) the right foot was actually reattached, multiple reconstructive surgeries, I was fortunate to ever walk again without a prosthetic. The physiatrist I seen, diagnosed me immediately with RSD, but did not treat it. Well he did with exercise, therapy, increased my weight restrictions, increased my permanent limitations. The pain that man put me through was enormous. I kept telling him...that my pain, which at one time, was under control, was increasingly getting worse. Finally, I went to an ortho doctor, this doctor was astonished of his findings. All of my tendons were dislocated, I had permanent tibial nerve damage and two bones protruding out of my foot. I had to have surgery to repair this damage, with RSD and yet another surgery that I did not need. I allowed this psysiatrist to literally run me in the ground.

Like you, I was skeptical and scared not to listen. The only thing I should have listened to was my intuition. Had my original ortho doctor who restored my foot been here this never would have happened. I don't know how WC works, but you need to follow your gut instinct, insist on another doctor, especially with the comment that was made about the black cloud....hmmm, that is a red flag. If a psysiatrist is knowledgable to the original injury and RSD, then they can be beneficial, but finding one is the key. I am in the later stage of RSD with my right foot and leg and stage 1 with my left foot. If I had it all to do over again, I would have found a different doctor immediately. It was the original injury that was being overstressed (as prescribed) that began the RSD. I personally do not have a lot of faith in physiatrist, for me the cost was high. I hope your situation gets better, take control and find a different doctor, and when you call ask them if they are specialized in RSD. I wish you the best of luck and God Bless.

Jeanie

Initially I didn't feel I needed a psychiatrist for RSD but my mental condition became much more "fluid" as the problem progressed and stress multiplied. He was able to find an effective medication and adjust the dosage as my condition evolves.

If you're having problems whether they're caused by the disease, the medication, or the difficulty in coping then you might benefit from a psychiatrist. In fact even a shrink can be extremely helpful since they've seen everything before and can give you practical tips on dealing and coping.

My insurance (auto) sent me to a physiatrist a couple decades ago. He was cool, but didn't know his ars, from mine. He put me in the warm water swim. And, that's about it.
His report did NOTHING For me!
He was essentially a nobody, who knew, not much. (It didn't matter to the court, either).

They're the kinds of doctors who are supposed to catch those of us who fall between the "cracks", in the system. For the most part, they do well.
For RSD, if they don't know it, they FAIL.

So,
I was lucky.
I had my auto medical, and my Blue Cross, and I wasn't "poor", so, I had my own cash to pay MY doctors what they wanted.

It was an UGLY dx.!

I don't need to tell any of you.

RSD/TOS, ULna nerve, and Carpel T.
I cried when I read the world's best doctor's reports about me! (I wasn't supposed to, but, my attorney, another world's best, let me).

Then, accident #2
Oh my.
I can't get into that here..

I'm tearing up.

I hope and pray, that you're all as well as possible!!

love

pete

I saw a phsyiatrist at the very start of this. He did nothing for me and really I needed a neuro. I would rather see a neuro then a physiatrist. You never know though what doc will look outside the box and be your angel doc. I know after so many pain docs who supposed to be the best with rsd and turned out not I found one of my best pain docs by looking outside the box. I am very cautious though on treatments and what is allowed to be done to me. Like no one touches my rsd area. I am sorry about WC. I can't even imagine how stressful that is.

WC sent my husband to an "independant medical examine" IME appt. Their psychiatrist said it was all in my husbands head. We saw one that our PM dr sent us to and he was very supportive and said my husband was a fine candiate for a scs unit (most drs require a psych exam before a scs implant). I would be careful to choose a well qualifed phsych who has an understanding of rsd. Best wishes..

I think we are getting two different types of specialties mixed up on this thread.

The original post says
WC doc suggested to my primary care doc to send me to a physiatrist.

There is a big difference between a psychiatrist and a physiatrist.

Per Wikipedia

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), or physiatry (pronounced /fɪ.zi.ˈæ.tri/ or /fɪ.ˈzaɪ.ə.tri/), is a branch of medicine which aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities. A physician who has completed training in this field is referred to as a physiatrist. In order to be a physiatrist in the United States, one must complete four years of medical school, one year of internship and three years of residency. Physiatrists specialize in restoring optimal function to people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues, and nervous system (such as stroke patients)
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A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry and is certified in treating mental disorders.[1] All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy. And, as part of their evaluation of the patient, psychiatrists are one of the few mental health professionals who may prescribe psychiatric medication, conduct physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests and electroencephalograms, and may order brain imaging studies such as computed tomography or computed axial tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography scanning.

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I never knew there was such a thing as a Physiatrist until I was sent to one.