Pediatric PM&R - Treatments and Services

This pump delivers a muscle relaxer to help treat tight, stiff muscles (also called spasticity). Therapists place it one side of the belly near the hip bone. A catheter attached to the pump delivers the medicine to the right area of the spinal cord, making it a more targeted treatment than oral medicine.

Muscle stiffness is a common issue for children with cerebral palsy. Botox blocks the chemical signals between nerves and muscles that make muscles tighten. With Botox injections, children feel less muscle pain, have a better gait pattern and experience an improved range of motion.

We quickly assess potential brain injuries through a 15-point test, using speech, eye movement and the ability to follow directions. We may order additional tests such as CT scans or MRIs, if needed.

In this study, several electrodes are taped to the skin and one electrode sends brief electric pulses stimulate specific nerves. Another electrode then records the nerve’s ability to send impulses to the muscle. This helps our care team find the specific location of numbness, tingling or pain.

A minimally invasive skin biopsy can help detect damage to small nerve fibers. The results can help provide a diagnosis of neuropathy and track its progression.

Trigger points are painful “knots” in neck, shoulder, arms, legs and lower back muscles. After a local anesthetic, trigger point injections use steroids or Botox to soothe pain and tenderness. This treatment is used if other treatments aren’t helpful and can make physical therapy be more effective.

The Craniofacial Clinic at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of just four craniofacial care programs in Florida and the only one of its kind in Broward, Palm Beach and Collier counties. We offer advanced, innovative treatment for children with cleft lip, cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies. We also provide surgical and non-surgical treatment options to help children and adolescents recover and rehabilitate.

The multidisciplinary team at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital’s Concussion Clinic provides comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and management of concussions in infants, young children and teenagers.

Specialists in our Wheelchair Clinic can help ensure that your child’s wheelchair is properly sized and positioned. In addition, we provide training on how to use a wheelchair.