Balance Center
The Balance Center at Midwest ENT is a medical facility for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals with dizziness and balance disorders, combining a multidisciplinary team approach with the latest in technology. Under the direction of the only Neurotologist in the Dakotas, patients with vertigo, imbalance, or movement-coordination problems can be diagnosed and treated effectively at one location in the most cost-efficient manner possible. A team consisting of an otologist, audiologist, and physical therapist work closely together to eliminate the long, expensive, and frustrating course of care experienced by many balance disordered patients. The team also consults with neurologists, pharmacists, orthopedic doctors, physiatrists, occupational therapists, geriatricians, and social workers.
In addition to specialized skills, the team has access to advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment, including audiometry, computerized posturography, vestibular autorotation,videonystagmography, electocochleography, and auditory brainstem response. Physical therapy rooms are equipped to test and treat balance impairments and assist in balance tasks.
Some of the patients who may benefit from referral to the Balance Center include individuals with dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance due to an inner ear problem, head injury, stroke, or other neurologic problems; those with severe dysequilibrium without obvious explanation; and the elderly with long-standing records of instability.
After a diagnosis is made, patients can be managed with a wide variety of medical, surgical, and/or rehabilitative treatments. Many significant advances have been made in a relatively new form of physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation. This is physical therapy and balance retraining to help patients decrease dizziness, improve balance function, and increase general activity levels.
The goal of the Balance Center, the first of its kind in South Dakota, is to work closely with the patient, family, primary care clinician and other physicians in order to return the patient to a maximum level of activity. Kenneth Scott, MD, FACS is the Director of the Center and is the only Fellowship trained Neurotologist in the region.
The Balance Center: A Different Model for Care Delivery
The Traditional Approach:
costly
time-consuming
poor outcomes
The Team Approach:
cost-effective
one location
clear, concise diagnosis and treatment options presented to the referring physician
better outcomes
Satisfied Patients and Insurance Carriers!
Who Can Benefit from Referral to the Balance Center?
Some indications:
Severe, disabling dysequilibrium without obvious explanation
History of one or more falls due to vertigo or dizziness, especially in the elderly
Vertigo or dizziness not responsive to the usual form of medical management, whether acute or chronic
Significant balance dysfunction with normal electronystagmography/electrocochleography testing
Gait or balance disorders in patients in whom neurologic evaluation is insufficient to explain symptoms
Post-aminoglycoside therapy, chemotherapy, or inner ear surgery with persistent symptoms
Progressive rigidity or spasticity
Stroke-related balance problems
Identification of the exaggerating patient
Workers’ Compensation Cases
Services of the Balance Center
| Diagnostic Testing
Audiology Medical Treatment Surgical Intervention Hearing Amplification Rehabilitation–Physical Therapy Vestibular Therapy Medical-Legal Evaluations Consultation Services Comprehensive, concise reports to the referral source identifying the diagnosis and various treatment options. |
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