Physiatry at Boulder Medical Center

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)

Elise Itano, MD
Board-certified physiatrist

Click here for Dr. Elise Itano’s full profile

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, also known as physiatry, is a branch of medicine in which the goal is to enhance or restore functional ability and quality of life. It is a unique specialty that addresses the function of the whole patient rather than focusing on a specific organ or organ system.

Physiatrists provide care for patients, who are experiencing pain, weakness, numbness, and loss of function, by utilizing a wide range of treatments that help maximize the patient’s physical, psychological, social and vocational potential. For instance, physiatrists often treat those suffering from an acute or chronic neuromuscular injury such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord trauma or other musculoskeletal insult. These injuries can affect the way people move and communicate, along with their role in the home and workplace. The physiatrist prescribes treatment and guides the patient through rehabilitation that helps regain function in all areas of life.

Dr. Elise Itano and the Boulder Medical Center Physiatry Department address the following concerns:

Spine

• Back and Neck Pain
• Arthritis
• Herniated Disc
• Spinal Stenosis
• Compression Fractures
• Sacroiliac Joint Pain
• Sciatic Pain
• Radicular Pain

Musculoskeletal

Shoulder Pain

• Arthritis (glenohumeral joint and AC joints)
• Adhesive capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
• Rotator Cuff tears
• Biceps Tendonitis
• Labral Tears
• Subacromial Bursitis

Hip Pain

• Arthritis
• Muscle/Tendon Strains
• Piriformis Pain
• Labral Tears
• Greater trochanteric bursitis

Knee Pain

• Arthritis
• Muscle/Tendon Strains
• Patellofemoral Pain
• Meniscus tears
• Bursitis

Tennis Elbow
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Plantar’s Fasciitis
Achilles Tendonitis

Injections/Pain Management

Fluoro-guided Injections

• Hip Joint
• Piriformis
• Spine
  • Epidurals (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and caudal)
  • SI Joint and Lateral Branch Blocks
  • Facets and Medial Branch Blocks
  • Radiofrequency ablation

In-Office or Ultrasound-guided injections (Steroid and PRP injections)

• Trigger Point
• Shoulder
  • Glenohumeral or AC Joint
  • Proximal or Distal Biceps Tendons
  • Bursa
  • Suprascapular Nerve
• Hip
  • Joint
  • Bursa
• Knee
  • Joint (Steroid, PRP and Hyaluronic Acid)
  • Fluid Aspiration
  • Baker’s Cyst
  • Bursa
• Carpal Tunnel
• Achilles Tendon
• Ganglion Cyst Fenestration/Aspiration
• Tennis Elbow

Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies

• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Spinal Radiculopathies
• Peripheral Mononeuropathies (nerve entrapment neuropathies)

Locations