PSSP Services:

Table of Contents

1. Comprehensive Osteoporosis Program
2. Cortisone Injections
3. Electrodiagnostic Medicine
4. Inpatient Rehabilitation
5. Motor Vehicle Injuries
6. Myotherapy
7. Occupational Medicine
8. Pain Management
9. Pediatric Rehabilitation
10. Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty, IDET
11. Physical Therapy / Rehabilitation
12. Prosthetic and Orthotic Prescriptions
13. Spinal Injections
14. Spinal Surgery
15. Sports Medicine

Comprehensive Osteoporosis Program

Osteoporosis affects a significant portion of the aging population.  When associated with a fall, fracture of the spine, hip or other bones can occur with significant disability.  Pioneer Spine and Sports has developed a comprehensive osteoporosis program in association with Dr. Mary Pat Roy (Endocrinology) and Orthotics and Prosthetics Laboratories.  The program includes osteoporosis assessment and treatment, fall risk assessment and prevention, rehabilitation following fractures, bracing and vertebral compression fracture treatment with vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty when needed.

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Cortisone Injections

Cortisone injections help in the diagnosis and treatment of many joint and peripheral musculoskeletal problems such as osteoarthritis, bursitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Electrodiagnostic Medicine

This state-of-the-art technology provides information on the function of nerves and muscles and can help to diagnose disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathies.

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Inpatient Rehabilitation

As rehabilitation specialists, our physicians provide acute inpatient rehabilitation care at these two facilities: Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital, part of Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MA, and Bronson Rehabilitation Center, part of Noble Hospital in Westfield, MA.  We provide care for patients who have had strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular disorders, burns orthopedic and rheumatologic conditions, congenital deformities , major multiple traumas, amputations, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, cancer and many other types of conditions. 

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Motor Vehicle Injuries

Motor vehicle injuries can be quite traumatic both physically and emotionally.  At Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians, we strive to streamline the medical treatment for patients by offering early examinations and rapid treatment towards a quick recovery.  We offer comprehensive conservative treatment in each office locations which makes it easier for patients to concentrate on their rehabilitation program.   Consultation for injuries requiring surgical intervention can be quickly facilitated.  Correspondence with attorneys and insurance carriers is also addressed in a timely fashion.  All of these factors make the experience from date of injury to date of discharge as streamlined as possible.

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Myotherapy

Muscular pain and dysfunction are alleviated through a systematized approach of trigger point compression, muscle massage, stretching and corrective exercises.

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Occupational Medicine

By virtue of our training in the area of functional rehabilitation, Pioneer physicians are particularly well suited for the treatment of occupational injuries.  Our approach to these injuries is the same as it is towards other conditions – we establish a specific diagnosis rapidly, implement an appropriate plan of treatment, and emphasize rapid return to normal activity.

During treatment, injured individuals are sometimes unable to carry out their normal occupational duties.  Our staff specifies as best possible exactly which activities are to be avoided or limited based on the established diagnosis.  As the patient’s treatment progresses, these restrictions are liberalized and the patients are returned to their usual activities.  Pioneer physicians work diligently with the injured employee to maintain daily work even when restrictions are necessary.  Except in unusual cases, we are able to avoid keeping patients out of work.

 The comprehensive treatment approach at Pioneer is particularly attractive to employers and case managers as well as our patients.  This allows for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in an efficient and timely manner which minimizes the period during which an employee is unable to do his/her usual job.  We try to avoid the frustrating lapses between appointments and minimize unnecessary tests and treatments.  Intervention is aggressive and targeted to address the patient’s diagnosis.  Rehabilitation allows for a rapid return to function with an emphasis on safety and avoidance of re-injury. 

Pioneer’s comprehensive approach to occupational injuries has been very effective and as a result the practice has developed relationships as a preferred provider for the treatment of occupational injuries with many of the areas best companies including Mass Mutual, Top Flite, American Saw, and Milton Bradley.  Pioneer has an in-house full time Nurse Case Manager dedicated to monitoring and coordinating the treatment of occupational injuries to avoid lapses and serve as a liaison between the employer, the patient, and the treating physician.

 For further information about the Occupational Medicine Program at Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians, call Cindy Fleury, RN, Nurse Case Manager at 785-1153 ext. 122.

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Pain Management

The staff of Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians treats many common painful conditions such as arthritis, musculoskeletal injuries, and painful spinal problems. For more complex pain conditions which are resistant to initial treatment efforts, Pioneer Spine and Sports operates a Comprehensive Pain Management Program (CPMP) in cooperation with Mercy Hospital. At the CPMP patients' need for additional spinal procedures, complex medication management, and/or psychological  evaluation/treatment can be assessed. The CPMP provides these services in cooperation with the patients' primary care physician as an interim step towards patients resuming a more normal life. Once treatment has been optimized, the understanding is that the medication regimen will be turned back over to the primary care physician. After that point the CPMP staff will be available the primary care physician for ongoing guidance with the pain management regimen.

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Pediatric Rehabilitation

Children can develop musculoskeletal problems unique to their age.  Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians offers treatment to children with problems such as cerebral palsy, neurological disorder, muscular dystrophy and numerous orthopedic conditions.  We provide both Orthopedic Surgical, and Physiatry physician staffing for the Cooley Dickinson Hospital multidisciplinary Children’s Orthopedic Clinic.  We work in concert with pediatric Physical, Occupational and Speech therapists, as well as Orthotists to offer a comprehensive approach to the treatment of the pediatric patient.

Common services include:

            Evaluation and management of scoliosis

            Management of spasticity with oral and injectable medications (Botox & Phenol)

            Bracing

            Adaptive equipment and assistive device recommendations

            Management of Intrathecal Baclofen

            Management of joint contractures

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Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty, IDET

Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty is a state of the art, minimally invasive method for spinal disc decompression.  This procedure is used to treat some painful disc problems, and often can be performed in as little as 30 minutes in the office.  The Physicians at Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians were the first in Western Massachusetts to perform this procedure.

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Physical Therapy / Rehabilitation

Pioneer therapy services is comprised of highly trained and experienced experts in the are of osteopathic as well as exercise-based treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. The underlying philosophy of PTS is reduction of pain, information, and muscle tone through hands on treatment with rapid transition to appropriate strengthening and stabilization exercises. The patients are discharged when they are comfortable and proficient at an appropriate program of home exercises designed for continued resolution of their injury.

Pioneer therapists have extensive experience treating sports injuries and understand the special attention that athletes require. Many of the therapists are competitive or even professional athletes themselves. They recognize the importance of intensive, directed treatment with sports specific considerations for rapid and safe return to action.

The spine therapist at Pioneer are hand picked for their talent in the area of manual and osteopathic therapy. they have particular expertise in conditions involving spinal disorders, pelvic dysfunction, muscular pain, and disk-related pathology.

Pioneer therapists work extremely closely with Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians to treat patients using a team approach. Therapy is provided in the same physical location as the physician offices so that the therapists and physicians can communicate freely regarding the progress of their patients. A change in a patient's presentation, failure to progress, or other considerations can be discussed immediately so that changes in treatment can be implemented without delay.

Pioneer Therapy services are located in each of the offices of Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians.

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Prosthetic and Orthotic Prescriptions

As rehabilitation specialists, our physicians are specifically trained to prescribe braces and prosthetics to optimize a patient's biomechanical function.

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Spinal Injections

Cortisone injections help in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders, such as radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, sacroiliac joint irritation, and facet arthropathy. 

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Spinal Surgery

When non operative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended.  Surgical consultation and treatment for all spinal disorders is available within Pioneer Spine and Sports when needed.  Commonly treated disorders include disc herniation and degeneration, spinal stenosis, spinal deformity and scoliosis, tumors and vertebral compression fractures.  We are skilled in the latest minimally invasive and micro-surgical techniques as well as total disc arthoplasty and kyphoplasty.

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Sports Medicine

Our physicians and physicians’ assistants have specialized training and interest in treating all types of sports related injuries.  We serve as Sports Medicine Providers and Team Physicians for many local teams, from school age through college and professional levels.  Regardless of age or skill level, we can offer a wide variety of non-surgical treatment alternatives, which may include physical therapy and exercise, diagnostic testing, medications and injection therapy as well as other options.

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