What is the MDA Clinic
Posted at: 09/11/2009 5:41 PM
| Updated at: 09/11/2009 5:47 PM
Child neurologist and Duluth children program director Dr. Kanoff says, " What MDA Clinic is is its a pooling together of a team of specialist where they are familar with different diseases and how to approach it...really managing complications."
Genetic Counselor Dianne Bierke-Nelson says, its all starts with the family tree. "We first get an extended family background of four generations. Asking to see if there is any muscle related issues per family.. to try to determine if this is a new case or extended through time with same patterns or issues. That helps in clarifying the diagnosis the doctor makes. we can do genetic testing through blood draw to determine diagnosis."
Kanoff says, the child is seen get the child seen by PT , OT, & ST a rehab specialist a dietician is available and as kids enter into the teenagers we involve a psychologist as well.
"Its an ongoing process of needing equipment, changing equipment at two years old they need braces and 6 again.. as a pre teen this kind of thing. They have an ongoing thing they have to deal with. its a lot of doctors appointments and equipment, says Nurse Tari Gilbertson.
"The MDA clinic is a key support network for families. They have the medical intervention the physical therapy. All of the key components that are available to them and if insurance doesn't cover then the cost is covered from our grant with MDA," said Diane.
"This is a fabulous clinic in getting and making sure patients see providers that are educated on what the treatments are and MDA is a organization that helps children and families in immense ways", said Kanoff. He also says, "At first the goal is to make the patient stronger longer and higher quality of life but of course our goals are to eradicate these diseases to find a fix...that we can go in and genetically change things. so that diagnose a child before they get these symptoms means they won't get these symptoms.
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