Specialty Programs
Aquatic Therapy
Individual treatments and inpatient and outpatient classes
are held by a physical therapist in our warm therapeutic
pool. This fun, gravity-minimized environment enables
the therapist to perform techniques and facilitate functional
activities that may not be possible on land. The warm water
environment also improves muscle flexibility and strength
and decreases tonal influence. Please contact 212-263-6059 for further information.
Spasticity Management Clinic
The Rusk Institute physiatrists refer children to the Spasticity Management Clinic at the Hospital for Joint Diseases when appropriate. Our physicians participate in the clinic, which provides a comprehensive clinical
and functional evaluation for the treatment of spasticity.
The interdisciplinary team consists of a neurosurgeon,
neurologist, orthopedist, physiatrist, occupational therapist,
and physical therapist who meet as a group to discuss treatment
options after examining the patient. Treatment approaches
may include anti-spasticity medication, braces, surgery,
adaptive equipment, and related therapy services. For more
information or an appointment, please call the clinic at
212-598-2330.
Neonatal Comprehensive Continuing Care Program
The physical therapist is part of an interdisciplinary team
including a neonatologist, neurologist, physiatrist, occupational
therapist, psychologist, and social worker. The team evaluates
infants who are born premature or with a low birth weight
(under 1500g). The team also evaluates infants in the Early
Intervention program who have a complicated birth history.
A team discussion is performed after each evaluation and
recommendations are made to the families regarding infant
care. Infants are followed from 0 to 2 years as needed.
The clinic also provides a site for early intervention
evaluations; outside referrals are accepted. For more information
please call 212-263-7950.
Motor Control Restoration Laboratory and Clinic
The Motor Control Restoration Laboratory and Clinic uses
non-invasive computer-based procedures to evaluate and
treat motor dysfunction. These procedures include:
• Computer-mediated feedback (video-displayed waveforms, game elements) that varies in response to changes in patient-generated force, joint position myolectricity (muscle-generated electricity), or center of pressure output.
• Computerized gait analysis to assess a person's ability to walk under various conditions.
• Use of Whole Body Vibration to restore the ability to stand in people with paralysis caused by spinal dysfunction due to infection, trauma, or cancer.
Dr. Gianutsos is Director of Research of The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, and can be reached by telephone (263-6330, 263-6547), fax (263-3216), or e-mail gianuj01@popmail.med.nyu.edu.
Serial Casting
Serial casting is a procedure to increase muscle length and
flexibility. It is performed by specially trained physical
therapists for inpatients and outpatients. A series of
casts are used to reduce muscle tone, allowing a muscle
to be stretched over a long period of time. Serial casts
have been shown to be successful alone or when used with
botox treatment. Please contact 212-263-6059 for further information.
Threshold Electrical Stimulation (TES)
Threshold Electrical Stimulation (TES) is a technique used
to help prevent the loss of muscle tissue in children with
certain conditions, including cerebral palsy, hemiplegia,
spina bifida, brachial plexus injury, and triplegia. All
of these conditions can cause muscle atrophy due to disuse;
TES targets this type of muscle atrophy. After the child
is evaluated by a TES-certified therapist, an FDA-approved
specialized electrical stimulation home unit (NT2000-TES)
is sent home to be used at nighttime during sleep. The
TES current flows in the direction of arterial blood flow
and muscle fiber orientation to encourage the growth of
muscle as well as motor and sensory nerves. This program
requires an initial commitment of 2-4 years; it must then
be restarted during puberty because of the increased levels
of growth hormone circulating in the child's body. Children
in this program are reassessed every 3-6 months as necessary.
For more information and articles, please see www.mayatek.com and www.tascnetwork.com.
TheraTogs™
TheraTogs are a relatively new orthotic undergarment that consist of a two-piece body suit and a strapping system that is customized for the child. TheraTogs were developed by Beverly Cusick, an expert in lower extremity (LE) orthopedic and orthotic management for children with neurological disorders. (For additional information on TheraTogs, see www.gaitways.com.) The TheraTogs are worn every day and are indicated for children with a variety of issues, including ataxia, athetosis, low tone, poor postural alighnment and joint deviations. Rusk recently received a generous grant through Kids of NYU Foundation to purchase TheraTogs for six children who are followed in physical therapy at the Rusk Institute. Therapists at Rusk Institute are available to assess children for the appropriateness of TheraTogs, to custom fit the TheraTogs for the child, and to train parents in the application procedure. For further information, call the Pediatric Physical Therapy Department at Rusk Institute at 212-263-6059.
