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Dr. Elaine L. Pico, MD, FAAP is a pediatric physiatrist in Berkeley, CA specializing in pediatric rehabilitation medicine. She graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Elaine L. Pico, MD, FAAP is affiliated with Brown and Toland Physicians, UCSF, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals.
3031 Telegraph Avenue Suite 241
Berkeley, CA 94705
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.
Dr. Elaine L. Pico, MD, FAAP graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. She completed residency at Mayo Clinic. She is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilita American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilita (Certified) and has a state license in California.
Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine
Residency: Mayo Clinic (1996)
Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilita American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilita (Certified)
Licensed In: California
Dr. Elaine L. Pico, MD, FAAP is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Elaine L. Pico, MD, FAAP. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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Dr. Elaine Pico is a pediatric rehabilitation medicine specialist. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine and a graduate of Mayo Clinic's residency program. Dr. Pico's areas of expertise include the following: spinal cord injury, neurogenic bladder, and cancer. She is conversant in Spanish. Dr. Pico's professional affiliations include UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Brown and Toland Physicians, and UCSF. According to Brown and Toland Physicians, she is currently accepting new patients at her office in Berkeley, CA.
