They will evaluate strength, range of motion, bowel and bladder function, ability to carry out activities of daily living, skin care, and sexual function as indicated. Assistance devices for each of these functions may be recommended. A series of exercises may also be suggested for maintenance of tone, strength and range of motion. Dr. de Lateur has been part of a team which designed a machine to quantitatively evaluate spasticity of the lower extremities. For some patients, this may be an important tool to investigate how much spasticity is interfering with function.
Rheumatologists are physicians that specialize in inflammatory and autoimmune processes.
They will assist us in designing further therapies for those patients who have as the basis for their neurologic disorder, SLE, Sjogren s Disease, mixed connective tissue disease, or other similar processes. Every patient reacts to this in a different way, and you will inevitably experience a wide range of emotions as you adapt. We will ask each patient to complete a questionnaire examining your own mental state. We will also ask about your sexual functioning and suggest possible strategies to improve this if necessary. In this way, we hope to find those patients who are depressed or severely anxious.