Dr. Kathryn Ruth Wilkins

As a Physiatrist, Dr. Kathryn Ruth Wilkins addresses a variety of conditions related to physical function, pain, and rehabilitation, including but not limited to:

Neurological Conditions

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Concussion Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation programs aimed at improving memory, attention, executive function, balance, and emotional regulation after brain injury.
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Management & Rehabilitation: Long-term care and rehabilitation for individuals with traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injuries, addressing paralysis, spasticity, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and other complications.
• Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident - CVA) Rehabilitation: Comprehensive rehabilitation for individuals who have experienced an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

• Tendonitis & Bursitis: Addressing soft tissue inflammation around joints to relieve pain and restore normal movement.
• Low Back Pain & Neck Pain (Non-Surgical): Managing acute or chronic pain in the lumbar, thoracic, or cervical spine due to disc issues, arthritis, muscle strain, or stenosis without surgery.

Post Surgical Rehab

• Post-Operative Rehabilitation (e.g., after joint replacement, spine surgery): Developing rehabilitation plans to optimize outcomes following surgeries like total knee/hip replacement, rotator cuff repair, or spinal fusion.

This list provides examples of conditions commonly managed. A comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan are always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Wilkins, typically following referral. If your specific concern isn't listed, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic for more information.

• Spasticity Management (e.g., Botulinum Toxin Injections): Utilizing botulinum toxin (e.g., Botox®, Dysport®) injections to reduce muscle spasticity and improve range of motion in conditions like stroke, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury.
• Medication Management for Pain & Spasticity: Optimizing pharmacological treatments to provide effective pain relief while minimizing side effects and risks.
• Stroke Rehabilitation: Specialized therapies to address physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges following a stroke.
• Individualized Rehabilitation Program Design: Goal-oriented rehabilitation planning to help patients regain independence and improve their ability to perform daily activities.
• Therapeutic Injections (Joints, Soft Tissues, Nerves): Performing image-guided (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) injections such as corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation, trigger point injections, and peripheral nerve blocks.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Wilkins. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any treatment depends on individual assessment and referral where appropriate. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific medical needs, please schedule a consultation or speak with your referring physician.

All services by Dr. Kathryn Ruth Wilkins adhere to the scope of practice for Physiatrists in ON and the standards of The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

At The Ottawa Hospital, the focus is on partnering with you to maximize your functional abilities, manage your condition effectively, and improve your overall quality of life. Dr. Wilkins frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• If needing to find better ways to cope with daily pain and its impact on their mental health is preventing you from fully enjoying using their prosthetic limb with skill and confidence or causing discomfort, Dr. Wilkins offers expert dental solutions. The primary aim is to achieve their functional goals being met through a tailored rehabilitation program through comprehensive and personalized dental care.
• The primary focus for patients seeking help for not being able to use their hand effectively after a nerve injury at Dr. Wilkins's practice is consistently achieving being able to manage their condition proactively to maintain their gains. This facilitates a confident and meaningful return to valued daily activities such as communicating their needs clearly if they have speech difficulties.
• Through Dr. Wilkins's skilled guidance and modern dental techniques, patients suffering from not being able to return to work because of their physical limitations often find they can readily achieve improved bladder and bowel control and once again enthusiastically pursue enjoyable pastimes like getting in and out of a chair or bed with greater ease.
• A key objective when treating needing to learn how to use a prosthetic limb effectively at Dr. Wilkins's welcoming dental clinic is achieving their chronic pain no longer dominating their life. This directly supports a comfortable, confident, and lasting return to important activities like sleeping through the night without being woken by pain.

Your personalized rehabilitation plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Wilkins, will be carefully designed to help you reach your specific functional goals. Dr. Wilkins is committed to empowering patients with the expertise and support needed to achieve their highest possible level of independence and well-being.

Dr. Wilkins practices at The Ottawa Hospital, situated in the Downtown Barrie, East Bayfield neighborhood of Barrie. The clinic is conveniently located near Sadlon Arena (formerly Barrie Molson Centre) and is accessible via Barrie Transit. Please inquire about specific parking arrangements if you have mobility concerns.

Can Dr. Wilkins help with chronic back pain without surgery?

Yes, Physiatrists like Dr. Wilkins are experts in the non-surgical management of acute and chronic back and neck pain. After a thorough assessment to determine the cause, treatment may include personalized exercise programs, medication management (e.g., anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, nerve pain medications), advice on posture and ergonomics, referrals for physical therapy, and potentially therapeutic injections (such as epidural steroid injections or trigger point injections, if these are part of Dr. Wilkins's practice and appropriate for the patient's condition) to improve function and reduce pain.

What are EMG and NCS tests, and why might Dr. Wilkins recommend them?

Electromyography (EMG) evaluates the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles, and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) measure how quickly and well electrical signals travel along nerves. Dr. Wilkins might recommend these electrodiagnostic tests to help diagnose conditions such as pinched nerves (radiculopathy), carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), muscular dystrophy, or other neuromuscular disorders. These tests help pinpoint the location and severity of nerve or muscle problems, guiding further treatment.

Do I typically need a referral to see a Physiatrist (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialist) like Dr. Wilkins?

Yes, in ON, a referral from a family doctor (GP) or another specialist is generally required to see a Physiatrist like Dr. Wilkins for consultations and treatments covered by provincial health plans like Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This referral helps ensure the consultation is appropriate and that Dr. Wilkins has the necessary background medical information. Speak with your primary care physician or referring doctor if you believe you need a physiatric assessment.

Are services provided by a Physiatrist like Dr. Wilkins covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP))?

Most physician consultations and medically necessary assessments by a registered specialist Physiatrist like Dr. Wilkins are typically covered by provincial health plans such as Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON, provided the patient has a valid health card and appropriate referral if required by the plan or clinic. However, some specific treatments or procedures (e.g., certain types of injections, assistive devices, comprehensive multidisciplinary programs) may not be fully covered or may have associated fees for materials or facility use. It's always best to inquire with The Ottawa Hospital about any potential out-of-pocket costs for recommended treatments and to check with your private insurance, if any, regarding coverage for adjunctive therapies or devices.

What can I expect at my first appointment with Dr. Wilkins at The Ottawa Hospital?

The first visit with Dr. Wilkins will typically involve a comprehensive assessment. This includes a detailed discussion of your medical history, the nature and timeline of your current symptoms, how these symptoms impact your daily activities and quality of life, and any previous treatments. Dr. Wilkins will then perform a thorough physical examination, which may focus on the musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles, spine) and/or neurological system depending on the presenting problem. Any prior imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT) or test results will be reviewed. Based on this comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Wilkins will discuss her diagnostic impressions, may recommend further investigations if needed, and will outline potential treatment and rehabilitation options, working with you to establish functional goals.

What does a Physiatrist / Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialist like Dr. Wilkins do?

A Physiatrist like Dr. Wilkins is a medical doctor (physician) who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide range of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Their primary goal is to enhance and restore functional ability, reduce pain, and improve the quality of life for people with physical impairments or disabilities resulting from injury (e.g., sports injuries, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury), illness (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, arthritis), or chronic pain. They use non-surgical treatments including medication, therapeutic exercise programs, targeted injections (if applicable), and coordinate comprehensive rehabilitation plans often involving a team of therapists.

What are some common conditions a Physiatrist like Dr. Wilkins treats?

Physiatrists like Dr. Wilkins treat diverse conditions such as the consequences of stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury (including concussion), sports injuries, arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid), chronic low back and neck pain, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and conditions requiring amputation rehabilitation. Dr. Wilkins focuses on improving function, reducing pain, and enhancing quality of life related to these and other physical impairments.

The Ottawa Hospital
Unit B4, 11 Lakeside Terrace, B4
Barrie, ON, L4M 0H9

Phone: (705) 726-7427

Dr. Kathryn Ruth Wilkins is a licensed Physiatrist in ON, regulated by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Medicine Act, 1991 (Ontario).

License Number: 59564

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Wilkins-Kathryn-Ruth/0045586-59564

A referral from a family physician or another specialist may be required to see Dr. Wilkins. Dr. Wilkins and the team are committed to providing comprehensive care. If you have a medical emergency, please proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911.