Rimma Ruvinskaya, MD

Dr. Ruvinskaya is a board-certified physiatrist specializing in spinal cord injury rehabilitation in pediatric and adult patients, management of severe spasticity related to spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, CP and other neurologic conditions.

Common Diagnoses Treated

Spinal cord injuries
Stroke related spasticity
MS related spasticity and general rehab issues
CP related spasticity

Common Procedures

Botox injections for the management of focal spasticity and dystonia
Intrathecal Baclofen pump management for severe spasticity

Clinical Office Locations

Center for Advanced Medicine

4921 Parkview Place
St. Louis, MO 63110

Hospital Affiliations

Barnes-Jewish Hospital
St. Louis Children's Hospital
The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis

Academic Office Mailing Address

Washington University School of Medicine

Campus Box 8233

660 Euclid Avenue

Saint Louis, MO 63110

Patient Education

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Patient Education

Patient Resources

American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Patient Forms

Click here for patient forms.

Evaluation for Late Nerve Transfer Surgery in Spinal Cord Injury: Predicting the Degree of Lower Motor Neuron Injury. Jain NS, Hill EJR, Zaidman CM, Novak CB, Hunter DA, Juknis N, Ruvinskaya R, Kennedy CR, Vetter J, Mackinnon SE, Fox IK. J Hand Surg Am. 2020 Feb;45(2):95-103. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2019.11.003. Epub 2019 Dec 20.5.
Nerve transfer surgery in cervical spinal cord injury: a qualitative study exploring surgical and caregiver participant experiences. Fox I, Hoben G, Komaie G, Novak C, Hamm R, Kahn L, Whitehead M, Juknis N, Ruvinskaya R, Mackinnon S, James A. Disabil Rehabil. 2019 Sep 27:1-8. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1669225. [Epub ahead of print]
The Use of Nerve Transfers to Restore Upper Extremity Function in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. Fox IK, Novak CB, Krauss EM, Hoben GM, Zaidman CM, Ruvinskaya R, Juknis N, Winter AC, Mackinnon SE. PM R. 2018 Nov; 10(11):1173-1184.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.03.013. Epub 2018 Mar 15.
Using nerve transfer to restore prehension and grasp 12 years following spinal cord injury: a case report. Fox IK, Novak CB, Kahn LC, Mackinnon SE, Ruvinskaya R, Juknis N. Spinal Cord Ser Cases. 2018 Apr 27;4:37. doi: 10.1038/s41394-018-0067-6. eCollection 2018.
Grover P, Ruvinskaya R. Surgically Uncorrected Recurrent Multidirectional Instability (AMBRI) – Improvement with Botulinum Toxin, American J. of PM&R, March 2015 - Volume 94 - Supplement 13
Use of peripheral nerve transfers in tetraplegia: evaluation of feasibility and morbidity.
Fox IK, Davidge KM, Novak CB, Hoben G, Kahn LC, Juknis N, Ruvinskaya R, Mackinnon SE.
Hand (N Y). 2015 Mar;10(1):60-7. doi: 10.1007/s11552-014-9677-z.
Nerve Transfers to Restore Upper Extremity Function in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Update and Preliminary Outcomes. Fox IK, Davidge KM, Novak CB, Hoben G, Kahn LC, Juknis N, Ruvinskaya R, Mackinnon SE. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Oct;136(4):780-92. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001641.

Research Interests

Dr. Ruvinskaya has research interests in upper extremity function restoration in patients with Tetraplegia.

Background

Dr. Ruvinskaya earned a medical degree from the Leningrad Institute of Pediatric Medicine in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), USSR, and then completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO.

Board Certifications

Board-certified, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Subspecialty certified in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Medical Degree

Leningrad Institute of Pediatric Medicine, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), USSR

Residency

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

Honors and Awards

Diplomat American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Rhone – Poulenc Rorer Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident’s Scholarship (1999)

Professional Societies and Organizations

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Fellow Member
St. Louis Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation