As a Physiatrist with over 20 years experience, I have expertise in pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management. My practice is both hospital and out-patient based. I am board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and board-certified in Pain Medicine. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is the branch of medicine emphasizing the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders—particularly those of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems—that may produce temporary or permanent impairment.
I have experience in performing neuromuscular and orthopedic medicine examinations, industrial medicine consultations and disability evaluations. My office provides an integrated care in the treatment of all neurologic and musculoskeletal disabilities from traumatic brain injury to lower back pain. Our specialty focuses on the restoration of function to people with problems ranging from simple physical mobility issues to those with complex cognitive involvement.
I perform and utilize diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and electrodiagnostic medicine studies such as (EMG/NCS), electromyography and nerve conduction studies. I perform interventional pain medicine procedures such as: spinal cord stimulators implantation and trials, spinal interventions such as epidurals, radiofrequency ablation procedures and detoxification from prescriptions drugs using Suboxone. I am very familiar with the evaluations of an Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems or Morphine pumps. My practice is based on an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary model we emphasize more of a biopsychosocial program for Functional Restoration in all Chronic Pain Syndromes.
I routinely perform Independent Medical Evaluations, personal injury, worker's compensation and disability cases, all of which are given an independent and impartial medical evaluation. I strive to be as unbiased and independent as possible secondary to my experience, perspective and knowledge based on my practice and specialty.
Working with a multitude of disease and diagnoses it gives the unique ability to manage behavioral disorders and to recognize the impact of injury, illness and disability on common psychiatric disease such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, organic brain syndromes, post-traumatic brain and stress disorders, substance abuse, personality and psychotic disorders and to assess basic appropriateness of care.
I have a working knowledge of the American Medical Associations Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Edit6ions. This includes a detailed impairment evaluation and report writing with the concept of the whole person and the relationship of activites of daily living to impairment and disabilities.
As a Physician Witness I am familiar with the Danbert puzzle or Danbert principle decisions. I strive to always base my opinions upon objective facts and figures that are based on reliable scientific and technical knowledge. Over the past several years, my practice is only 10% medico-legal and I have had numerous depositions and have worked in the Administrative hearings department. I have had only a few trial experiences in my medico-legal practice.
Other areas of special interest include: A.I.D.S./HIV Rehabilitation; Arts Medicine; Brain Injury; Burn Injury; Cancer Rehabilitation; Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation; Geriatric Rehabilitation; Industrial Rehabilitation; Manual Medicine; Myofascial Pain; Neurophysiology; Osteoporosis; Pain Rehabilitation; Pediatric Rehabilitation; Prosthetic, Orthotic, Wheelchair and Assistive Technology; Rheumatologic Rehabilitation; Spinal Cord Injury; Sports Medicine; and Stroke and Neurologic Disease Rehabilitation. I am familiar with controversial diagnoses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia often requiring ruling out other illnesses. From low back pain or cervical pain and herniated discs to carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis, as a physiatrist I seek to not only reduce and eliminate chronic pain, but also to prevent its recurrence through preventative medicine. Like an Orthopedic Surgeon or Rheumatologist I do perform joint and ligament injections, spinal injections and nerve blocks, spinal epidural and peripheral nerve injections. We also perform complementary and alternative medical care.
Common work injuries include spine disorders – particularly in the heavy machinery industries – and cumulative trauma from repetitive motions, which causes carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis. The incidence of cumulative trauma continues to increase as computer usage grows.
As a QME, Qualified Medical Evaluator, I can and do perform Independent Medical Evaluations for insurances companies within and outside of California. I have been a Medical Expert for the Social Security Administration in Los Angeles, CA since 2000.
Jorge D. Minor, M.D.
