The Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Service of the Valme Hospital has become a leading center in the province for echo-guided diagnosis and interventionism in musculoskeletal processes. With more than 2,300 clinical acts using this procedure in the past year, the center has tripled its clinical acts in just three years. This has resulted in diagnostic immediacy and therapeutic agility, providing efficient responses to patients and avoiding unnecessary referrals to other specialties or requests for additional diagnostic tests.
Musculoskeletal processes are one of the leading causes of medical consultation in Primary Care, affecting 23% of the Spanish population over 20 years old. These conditions range from inflammatory or degenerative situations of muscles to tendons, joints, ligaments, or nerves. The most common problems are found in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands, often accompanied by pain associated with inflammation and a decrease in function.
The use of diagnostic and interventional ultrasound has allowed the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of Valme to increase its resolution capacity for complex pathologies, avoiding unnecessary referrals and diagnostic tests. This includes minimally invasive treatments performed with a needle, which not only improve pain but also enhance functionality for the patient. Additionally, the introduction of sonographers in clinical practice has expanded the capacity to make clinical decisions and improve health outcomes by acting in many processes in an agile and safe manner.
The service portfolio includes joint and soft tissue ultrasound, ultrasound in carpal tunnel syndrome, and ultrasound-guided interventions for joint and soft tissue infiltration, among other specialized offerings. The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service of the Valme Hospital is comprised of 60 professionals from various categories and offers a wide range of services to the southern area of the province.
Every year, they serve around 35,000 appointments in consultations, with 13,500 of these being new patients, demonstrating the high prevalence of the pathologies they address. With a commitment to efficiency, innovation, and quality of care, the Valme Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Service continues to be a leader in musculoskeletal diagnosis and intervention.