Loading Page
Dr. Valerie Ann Chavez-Arom, MD is a physiatrist in Irvine, CA specializing in physiatry (physical medicine & rehabilitation) and spinal cord injury medicine. She graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School. Dr. Valerie Ann Chavez-Arom, MD is affiliated with UC Irvine Health Gottschalk Medical Plaza, UCI Health, UCI Medical Center, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, UCI Health - Laguna Hills and UCI Health - Tustin.
1 Medical Plaza Drive
Irvine, CA 92697
101 The City Drive South Building 30
Orange, CA 92868
1451 Irvine Boulevard
Tustin, CA 92780
23961 Calle De La Magdalena Suite 200
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
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. Valerie Ann Chavez-Arom, MD graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School. She completed residency at University of California, Irvine Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and has a state license in California.
Medical School: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School
Residency: University of California, Irvine Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Licensed In: California
Dr. Valerie Ann Chavez-Arom, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Valerie Ann Chavez-Arom, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Valerie Ann Chavez-Arom, MD here: Leave a Review
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Valerie Ann Chavez-Arom, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
|
$42
Xeomin $42 |
|
|
$40
BOTOX $40 |
|
|
$26
TRELEGY ELLIPTA $26 |
| $108 |
Dr. Valerie Chavez-Arom sees patients in Orange, CA, Irvine, CA, and Laguna Hills, CA. Her medical specialties are physiatry (physical medicine & rehabilitation) and spinal cord injury medicine. In Dr. Chavez-Arom's practice, she is particularly interested in neurorehabilitation and spinal cord injury. She is affiliated with UC Irvine Health Gottschalk Medical Plaza. She attended Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School and then went on to complete her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, Irvine.
