Karla L. Thompson, PhD is a general practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC specializing in physiatry (physical medicine & rehabilitation) and general practice. Karla L. Thompson, PhD is affiliated with UNC Health and UNC Hospitals.
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Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury medicine is a branch of medicine that treats damage to the spinal cord from an injury or a nontraumatic myelopathy, which is any disorder that affects the spinal area. The spinal cord is a section of nerve tissue protected by the vertebrae (spinal bones). Trauma to the spinal cord, typically caused by compression or bent vertebrae, prevents the body and brain from communicating. This can result in pain, loss of sensation, and impaired physical function and movement. Acute spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a leading cause of permanent disability. Spinal cord injuries may develop from accidents or myelopathies, disorders that provoke spinal compression. Traumatic incidents such as falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and bullet or stab wounds can cause an acute spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injury medicine seeks to stabilize the spine and to alleviate the symptoms of spine damage. Practitioners of spinal cord injury medicine are called spinal cord injury specialists. Spinal cord injury medicine is an interdisciplinary field, meaning physicians of various specialties may be trained to treat spinal cord injuries.
Damage to the spinal cord may initially be diagnosed through X-ray, MRI, or CT scans. Patients can also undergo spinal exams to evaluate their sensory ability and strength. Injuries to the spinal cord can be complete (no feeling or sensation) or incomplete (some feeling or sensation remains). Conditions spinal cord injury medicine specialists may treat include:
Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves surgery, either directly after an injury occurs or at a later date. Surgery for spine injuries is intended to ease spinal compression and stabilize the spine. Surgical procedures can involve shifting vertebrae, removing bone, or altering spinal placement with implantable devices. Patients with significant spinal trauma may require urgent surgical intervention.
Surgical treatments can be complemented by rehabilitative physical therapy to improve mobility. Spinal cord injury specialists also treat complications arising from a spinal injury, such as respiratory or bladder conditions. Some patients with spinal cord injuries may require lifelong treatment. Spinal cord injury specialists aim to help these patients successfully adjust and lead an improved quality of life. An emerging treatment for spinal cord injuries is neural prosthetics, which replicate patients' lost nerve function. Neural prostheses may be used as artificial body parts or assistive devices that patients may cognitively control. Other assistive devices include wheelchairs and scooters.
Spinal cord injury specialists may collaborate with physical therapists, radiologists, neurologists, urologists, and orthopedists.
The top procedures that Karla L. Thompson, PhD treated as a general practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC during 2012 were diagnostic evaluation.
Volume of procedures performed by Karla L. Thompson, PhD for Medicare patients.
| diagnostic evaluation | 18 |
|---|
The top procedures that Karla L. Thompson, PhD treated as a general practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC during 2013 were health and behavior assessment.
Volume of procedures performed by Karla L. Thompson, PhD for Medicare patients.
| health and behavior assessment | 46 |
|---|
Information about Medicare patients treated by Karla L. Thompson, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Non-Hispanic White | |
|---|---|
| Black | |
| Hispanic | |
| Asian | |
| Other | |
| Native American |
| From 65 to 74 | |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | |
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Karla L. Thompson, PhD treated as a general practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC during 2014 were health and behavior assessment.
Volume of procedures performed by Karla L. Thompson, PhD for Medicare patients.
| health and behavior assessment | 33 |
|---|
Information about Medicare patients treated by Karla L. Thompson, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Karla L. Thompson, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Non-Hispanic White | |
|---|---|
| Black | |
| Hispanic | |
| Asian | |
| Other | |
| Native American |
| From 65 to 74 | |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | |
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Karla L. Thompson, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Non-Hispanic White | |
|---|---|
| Black | |
| Hispanic | |
| Asian | |
| Other | |
| Native American |
| From 65 to 74 | |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | |
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Karla L. Thompson, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| From 65 to 74 | |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | |
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Karla L. Thompson, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Non-Hispanic White | |
|---|---|
| Black | |
| Hispanic | |
| Asian | |
| Other | |
| Native American |
| From 65 to 74 | |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | |
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Karla L. Thompson, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Non-Hispanic White | |
|---|---|
| Black | |
| Hispanic | |
| Asian | |
| Other | |
| Native American |
| From 65 to 74 | |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | |
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
Volume of procedures performed by Karla L. Thompson, PhD for Medicare patients.
The highest averages for the top procedures that Karla L. Thompson, PhD treated as a general practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC were health and behavior assessment and diagnostic evaluation.
| diagnostic evaluation | 18 |
|---|---|
| health and behavior assessment | 39 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Karla L. Thompson, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Black / African American | |
|---|---|
| Asian / Pacific Islander | |
| Non-Hispanic White | |
| Native American / Alaskan Native | |
| Hispanic | |
| Other |
| 75 to 84 | |
|---|---|
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 | |
| 65 to 74 |
The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Karla L. Thompson, PhD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and ischemic heart disease.
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoporosis | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Atrial Fibrillation | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
She has a state license in North Carolina.
Licensed In: North Carolina
Karla L. Thompson, PhD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Karla L. Thompson, PhD appears to accept the following insurance providers: WellCare, AmeriHealth Caritas, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), MedCost, UnitedHealthcare, Carolina Complete Health, Liberty Advantage, Contigo Health, Veterans Affairs, Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare, Medicaid, OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health), CHAMPVA, Centene, Group Health Plan (GHP), HealthTeam Advantage, MedCost PPO, FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company Group Health Plans, North Carolina State Health Plan, Atlantic (Packaging) Corporation, Inc. (administered by Lucent Health), BCBSNC Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance (Blue Home with Novant Health is out of network), FirstCarolinaCare FirstMedicare Direct, Contigo Health Plan (WakeMed employees only) (out-of-network beginning January 1, 2026), Aetna Premier Care Network Plus (APCN+) (Tier 2), BCBSNC Group Health Plans (except for Blue High Performance Network (BlueHPN)), Aetna Whole Health (Tier 2), Meritain Health, an Aetna Company, Longevity Health Plan I-SNP and Veterans Affairs Community Care Network.
According to our sources, Karla L. Thompson, PhD accepts the following insurance providers:
Karla L. Thompson, PhD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 8 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Karla L. Thompson, PhD from all over the web to help you find the right in Chapel Hill, NC.
Dr. Karla Thompson is a specialist in physiatry (physical medicine & rehabilitation), general practice, and psychology in Chapel Hill, NC. Patient ratings for Dr. Thompson average 5.0 stars (out of 5). Dr. Thompson's areas of expertise include spinal cord injury and chronic illness. She is affiliated with UNC Hospitals. She appears to be an in-network provider for Coventry, Group Health Plan (GHP), CHAMPVA, and more. Yext reports that she is accepting new patients at her office in Chapel Hill, NC.
