Russell O’Connor, MD FRCP(C) Dip Sport Med (CASM)

Electrodiagnostic Physiatry and Sports Medicine Clinic

BACKGROUND

I graduated from medical school at the University of Calgary in Canada in 1998. I then went on and completed 5 years of specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or Physiatry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver in 2003.

I have subspecialty training in Electrodiagnostic Medicine diagnosing nerve and muscles problems since 2003. I have further subspecialty training in Sport and Exercise Medicine and obtained diploma from the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

As a Physiatrist, I am a nerve, muscle, and bone expert who injuries or illnesses that affect how you move. I treat a wide range of problems from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. The goal is to decrease pain and enhance performance without surgery.

The job of a Physiatrist is to treat any disability resulting from disease or injury involving any organ system. The focus is not on one part of the body, but instead on the development of a comprehensive program for putting the pieces of a person's life back together – medically, socially, emotionally, and vocationally – after injury or disease. I manage problems that span the entire spectrum, from the most complicated multiple trauma to injury prevention for athletes.

I see patients for five main reasons:

1. Electrodiagnostics – diagnosing nerve and muscle conditions using detailed history, physical examination and EMG or nerve testing. Common conditions would include: Carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes, neuropathies, ulnar neuropathies, tarsal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves in the neck or back such as sciatica, myopathies, muscular dystrophies and others.

2. Injuries - (sports, motor vehicle or work related). Physiatrists are experts in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries. The ultimate goal is maximizing a patient’s functional ability after an injury. Guiding return to sport, work, or activity as usual is what Physiatrists do.

3. Rehabilitation of major disabilities - I help treat people who have experienced catastrophic events resulting in paraplegia, quadriplegia, or traumatic brain injury; and individuals who have had strokes, orthopedic injuries, amputations, burns or neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, polio, and ALS. I am an expert in the treatment of spasticity or muscle stiffness after a stroke or other central nervous system injury using medications including Botox injections.

4. Exercise prescriptions - for people with and without disabilities. As a Physiatrist and Sports medicine specialist -I have specific training and expertise in the prescription of a tailored exercise program. This may be as simple as an independent home based exercise, or as complex as a supervised and work to sport or work program working with physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches.

5. Pain conditions - I see patients with both acute and chronic pain conditions. This may involve rehab programs, therapy, physical modalities, medications, injections or appropriate referral for surgery. I do Botox injections for pain, headaches, and spasticity.

How do I diagnose your problem?

I will take the time needed to accurately pinpoint the source of your problem. I use similar diagnostic tools as those used by other physicians (medical histories, physical examinations, and imaging studies), with the addition of special techniques in electrodiagnostic medicine like electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies. These techniques help me to diagnose conditions that cause pain, weakness, and numbness.

What is the my role as your Physiatrist in your treatment?

Once we have the correct diagnosis, I will design a treatment plan with you and your doctor. Sometimes this plan can be carried out by the patients themselves or with the help of a medical team. This interdisciplinary medical team may include medical professionals such as neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, urologists, psychiatrists and non-physician health professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, vocational counselors, psychologists and social workers. The team is different for each patient, and the team's composition changes during treatment to match the patient's shifting needs. By providing an appropriate treatment plan, rehabilitation physicians help patients stay as active as possible at any age.

VOLUNTEER WORK

Giving back to the community is important to me. Back in Canada I taught medical students and residents daily during clinical time at the tertiary care rehabilitation hospital called GF Strong Canada’s first free standing rehabilitation hospital. At GF Strong I worked on the neuromuscular floor, spasticity clinic and EMG lab.

I have volunteered my time with the Vancouver Olympic Committee as the Medical Representative for Paralympics 2010 and a Steering Committee Board member. I was the Director of Continuing Professional Development for the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of British Columbia from 2004 – 2010.

As a Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician I have been honored to be selected and volunteer my time as one of Canada’s team doctors at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. I have been the team physician for Canada’s Para Alpine Ski Team and still work with the team through the year. I was the Editor and the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine’s Athletes with Disabilities Handbook. I have been a physician covering the 2007 Canada Winter Games, World Bocci Championship, 2006 Vancouver International Wheelchair Rugby Championship, 2006 Torino Winter Paralympic Games as an observer. I have been the co chair and organizer for annual conferences for the Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Alpine Canada’s Medical Group.

RESEARCH

Current research areas include: Athletes with disabilities pre season questionaire. Autonomic assessment as a part of wheelchair Paralympic athlete’s classification. Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome with Botulinum Toxin Injection: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

AWARDS

Recent awards include: William G. Fraser Research Award 2007 co investigator – $15,000, National Specialty Society Annual Meeting Grant 2006 -$1200, Duncan Murray Teaching Award– Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation-2005-6, William G. Fraser Research Award 2005 co investigator – $15,000, Donald M Whitelaw Award-Best Grand Rounds presentation 2004-2005, Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Resident Research Award 2003, and an Educational Research Grant $2000, Merck Frosst Canada (Resident 1998)

FAMILY LIFE

One of the reasons I came to Cayman was Family. Nothing is more important than family and your health. We often take both of these for granted. I moved here to spend more time with my beautiful family. Outside of work I enjoy the typical chaotic life as a husband and dad of three active and wonderful kids Keegan, Skyler and Garrett.