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Program & Goals

The department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation offers comprehensive care to individuals with musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, including sport injuries, with the goal of maximizing function and quality of life.

Integrated Care Model

Our physiatrists develop and oversee an individualized care plan for each patient which is implemented by our team of rehabilitation professionals. Our services are available to patients with musculoskeletal issues during acute hospitalization at UNC Hospitals, at the UNC Health Care Rehabilitation Center or our sub-acute rehabilitation at UNC-Rex outpatient services. Outpatient services are offered at the Center for Rehabilitation Care of Chapel Hill and the UNC Hospitals Spine Center.

We continue rehabilitation care, education, research and advocacy in the UNC PM&R Outpatient Clinic, the UNC Hospitals Spine Center and through our community outreach programs.

Our faculty members also provide treatments such as peripheral joint, tendon and nerve injections, trigger point injections, peripelvic injections for pelvic floor pain, tenotomy for tendinosis, prolotherapy, hyaluronic acid injections, botox injections. Treatments such as interventional spine injections and different types of joint injections, tests such as electodiagnostic (EMG) studies, and medical care for overuse injuries are also available. Interventions from the rehabilitation team also strive to minimize secondary complications from injury, whether for the endurance athlete, occasional tennis player or individual experiencing muscle weakness. We also offer rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology for issues such as pain and concussion-related injuries.

Please note: if you receive a prescription for sports-related therapies, these are currently provided either at the Wellness Center at Meadowmont or the Ambulatory Care Center.

PM&R Faculty Sub-specializing in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, and Sport Injuries

Physiatrists

Kathryne Bartolo, MD

Kristopher Karvelas, MD

Lee Shuping, MD, MPT

Resources

We recommend the A-Z index of general health topics from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to learn more about specific conditions and treatments.

Become a Partner

Your gift will enable us to advance our mission of providing excellence in rehabilitation through patient care, state-of-the-art research and education. Your tax-deductible donation, whether large or small, makes a tremendous impact locally and globally.