James J. Czyrny MD

James Czyrny

James J. Czyrny
MD

Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine

Department of Orthopaedics

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Specialty/Research Focus

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Contact Information
Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider Street
Buffalo, New York 14215
Phone: (716) 898-3106
czyrny@buffalo.edu
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Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

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Overview Research Publications Activities Latest News

Professional Summary:

My specialty is physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), or physiatry. My clinical expertise includes the rehabilitation management of patients with significant brain injury due to trauma or stroke, spinal cord injury, and major multiple trauma. In addition, my practice specializes in simple as well as complex musculoskeletal impairments including extremity injuries, arthritis, and neck and back pain. I am one of the few physicians in the Western New York area that is board certified in electro diagnostic medicine. As a result, I do electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies on referral from physicians throughout Western New York. Two additional procedures I perform are Botox injections for spasticity management after brain injury and spinal cord injury and prolotherapy.

My research focus has been in three main areas. The first is measuring outcomes and interventions after serious trauma or illness. The second is the use of electrodiagnostic studies clinically. My third and major interest at this time, is prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Our company, StimMed, the maker of StimSox, has a patent, as well as FDA approval for preventing venous thrombosis and to temporarily increase local blood circulation in healthy leg muscles which reduce pooling of the blood in the veins of the calf. Poor circulation can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) which are serious and sometimes life-threatening medical conditions that can originate in the calf veins. We are partnering with the Jacobs Institute at this time, to finalize the design of StimSox. We are hopeful this will be accomplished in early 2022. Following this, we hope to commercialize the device.

I currently teach UB medical students and students from other medical schools, as well as residents from other specialties, that have an interest in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation.


There is a severe shortage of physicians specializing in PMR in the western New York community. I am dedicated to trying to improve this situation. There are far too many patients, that would benefit from a PM&R physician, that do not have access to this type of care at the present time.

Education and Training:
  • Residency, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University at Buffalo (1984)
  • MD, University at Buffalo (1981)
  • BA, University at Buffalo (1977)

Employment:
  • Medical Director of Rehabilitation Medicine, Catholic Health System (2010-present)
  • Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine, Orthopaedics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2003-present)
  • Attending Staff, Catholic Health System
  • Attending Staff, ECMC
  • Attending Staff, Kaleida Health
  • Consulting Staff, Lockport Memorial Hospital
  • Consulting Staff, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
  • Clinical Director, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, ECMC (2004–2010)
  • Interim Chairman, Rehabilitation Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2001–2002)
  • Clinical Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1993–2002)
  • Clinical Director, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, ECMC (1985–2002)
  • Associate Clinical Service Director, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kaleida Health (1998–2000)
  • Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Millard Fillmore Health System (1991–1998)
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1985–1993)
  • Assistant to the Medical Director, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, ECMC (1984–1985)
  • Clinical Instructor, Rehabilitation Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1984–1985)
  • Clinical Assistant Instructor, Rehabilitation Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1981–1984)
See all (7 more)

Awards and Honors:
  • Park Pribadi Memorial Award for Outstanding Teaching of Residents in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1987)
  • Hans J. Lowenstein Award in Obstetrics (1981)
  • Ernest Witebsky Memorial Award for Proficiency in Microbiology (1979)
  • Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctors 2005-2022
  • Park Pribadi Memorial Award 1989-2000

Research Expertise:
  • Functional Outcomes Electrodiagnostic Medicine Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention

Journal Articles:

See all (12 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Czyrny JJ, Cowan TB. (1996) Surgery of the Hand and Upper Extremity. In: Rehabilitation Management of Myofascial Pain Syndromes. McGraw Hill Inc., 2345-2374.
  • Czyrny JJ. (1900) Examination of the Musculoskeletal System. In: Examination of the Wrist and Hand.

Professional Memberships:
  • American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
  • American Medical Association
  • Association of Academic Physiatrists

Presentations:
  • "Upper and Lower Extremity Prosthetics: The Latest Technology" Department of Medicine Grand Rounds; Kenmore Mercy Hospital (2013)
  • "Upper and Lower Extremity Prosthetics: The Latest Technology" Department of Orthopedice Surgery Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (2012)
  • "Buffalo Department of Neurology Grand Rounds" Department of Medicine Grand Rounds; Kenmore Mercy Hospital (2012)
  • "Functional Prognosis After Stroke" Buffalo Department of Neurology Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (2009)
  • "Medical Appropriateness for Acute Inpatient Rehabilition: Increasing Referrals and Reducing Denials" Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation: The Buffalo Conference (2008)
  • "Therapy Presrciptions for Physiatrisits" SUNYAB Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series (2008)
  • "Epidemiolgy of Musculoskeletal Disorders" ; State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2008)
  • "Ankle Foot Orthoses" University of Rochester Spinal and Lower Extremity Orthotics Course (2007)
  • "Epidemiolgy of Musculoskeletal Disorders" ; State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2007)
  • "Upper and Lower Extremity Prosthetics" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (2007)
  • "Prolotherapy" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (2007)
  • "Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain with Botox" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (2007)
  • "Intraoperative Monitoring" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (2007)
  • "Somatosensory Evoked Potentials" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (2007)
  • "Analysis of gait deviation in the BK/AK amputee" Upstate New York Lower Extremity Prosthetic Conference (2006)
  • "Epidemiolgy of Musculoskeletal Disorders" ; State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Science (2006)
  • "Prolotherapy" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (2006)
  • "Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain with Botox" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (2006)
  • "Intraoperative Monitoring" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (2006)
  • "Somatosensory Evoked Potentials" SUNYAB Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (2006)
  • "Botox in Musculoskeletal Pain" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; Sunnybrook Hospital (2004)
  • "Prolotherapy in Musculoskeletal Pain" University of Toronto Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds (2004)
  • "Biomechanics of Ankle and Ankle Foot Orthoses" University of Rochester Spinal and Lower Extremity Orthotics Course (2003)
  • "Lower Extremity Orthotics: Clinical Evaluation" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York (2000)
  • "The Role of the Electrodiagnostic Consultant" Orthopedic Grand Rounds (2000)
  • "Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1999)
  • "Lower Extremity Orthotic Terminology" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1999)
  • "Lower Extremity Prosthetic Terminology" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1999)
  • "Upper Extremity Orthotics in Lower Motor Neuron Conditions" Upper Extremity Prosthetic and Orthotic Course (1999)
  • "Update on Lower Extremity Prosthetics" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds (1998)
  • "Electrodiagnosis in Peripheral Neuromuscular Disorders" CGF Orthopedic Grand Rounds (1998)
  • "Introduction to Lower Extremity Orthotics" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1998)
  • "Biomechanics of Ankle and Ankle Foot Orthoses" University of Rochester Spinal and Lower Extremity Orthotics Course (1998)
  • "Prolotherapy An Alternative Treatment for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1998)
  • "Upper Extremity Prosthetics and Orthotics" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1997)
  • "Electrodiagnostic Studies in Spine Pain" Department of Family Medicine Seminar on Oh My Aching Back; State University of New York at Buffalo (1997)
  • "Lower Extremity Prosthetics" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Hospital (1997)
  • "Electrodiagnostic Studies and Peripheral Nerve Injuries" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds; Buffalo General Hospital (1996)
  • "History and Physical Examination and Workup of Low Back Pain" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1996)
  • "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Health System (1996)
  • "Cervical Spine History, Physical Exam, and Clinical Syndromes" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1996)
  • "Facial Nerve Anatomy, Pathology, and Electrophysiology" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1996)
  • "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1996)
  • "Rehabilitation Potential of Stroke Patients" Department of Family Practice Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Hospital (1996)
  • "Lower Extremity Orthotics" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1996)
  • "Upper Extremity Orthotics in Lower Motor Neuron Conditions" Upper Extremity Prosthetics and Orthotics Course (1996)
  • "Somatosensory Evoked Potentials and Intraoperative Monitoring" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1996)
  • "Complications of Prolonged Bedrest" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Health System (1995)
  • "Prosthetic Prescription Considerations" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds; State University of New Yorkat Buffalo (1995)
  • "Somatosensory Evoked Potentials and Prognosis after Central Nervous System Injury" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1995)
  • "Anomalous Innervations of the Extremities" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1995)
  • "Anatomy of the Lumbosacral Plexus" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series (1995)
  • "Integration of Functional Assessment with Team Conference Reporting" Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Functional Assessment and Evaluation of Rehabilitation Outcomes National Conference (1995)
  • "Prosthetic Terminology" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1995)
  • "Clinical Evaluation of Patients for Orthotic Prescription" Spinal and Lower Extremity Orthotics (1995)
  • "Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Health System (1995)
  • "Electrodiagnosis of Upper Extremity Entrapment Neuropathies" Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Hand Surgery Grand Rounds (1995)
  • "The Locked in Syndrome and Rehabilitation Management" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1995)
  • "Electrodiagnosis of Facial Nerve Lesions" Department of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1995)
  • "Physiatric History and Physical" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1994)
  • "Osteoporosis" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Health System (1994)
  • "Industrial Rehabilitation" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1994)
  • "The Clinical Use of Outcome Data to Improve the Inpatient Program" Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Functional Assessment and Evaluation of Outcomes National Conference (1994)
  • "The Role of the Physiatrist in the Acute Care Setting" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Health System (1994)
  • "Rehabilitation Management of Neuromuscular Diseases" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1993)
  • "Rehabilitation Management of Low Back Pain" Department of Neurosurgery; State University of New York at Buffalo (1993)
  • "Upper Extremity Orthotics in Lower Motor Neuron Conditions" Upper Extremity Prosthetics and Orthotics Course (1993)
  • "Clinical Electrodiagnosis in Peripheral Nerve Lesions" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1993)
  • "Outcome and Prognosis after Stroke" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Health System (1993)
  • "Osteoporosis" New York State Workman's Compensation Board Conference (1992)
  • "Low Back Pain - How I Do It" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1992)
  • "Ankle Foot Orthoses" Lower Extremity and Spinal Orthotics Course (1992)
  • "Lower Extremity Orthotics in Lower and Upper Motor Neuron Disorders" Lower Extremity and Spinal Orthotics Course (1992)
  • "Update in Orthotics and Prosthetics What's New?" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1992)
  • "Rehabilitation of the Injured Worker" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series (1991)
  • "Management of Spasticity by Phenol Motor Point and Nerve Blocks" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1991)
  • "Neuromusculoskeletal Complications of Traumatic Brain Injury" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds; State University of New York at Buffalo (1990)
  • "Clinical Evaluation of Patients for Orthoses and Prostheses" Annual Prosthetic and Orthotic Conference (1990)
  • "Nerve Conduction Velocity Studies and Electromyography for the Orthopedist" Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds (1990)
  • "The Role of Rehabilitation in Management of the Injured Worker" The Injured Worker, Workman's Compensation Board of New York State Conference (1989)
  • "The Use and Abuse of Electrodiagnostic Testing" The Injured Worker, Workman's Compensation Board of New York State Conference (1989)
  • "Ankle Foot Orthoses" Lower Extremity and Spinal Orthotics Course (1989)
  • "Lower Extremity Orthotics in Lower Motor Neuron Disorders" Lower Extremity and Spinal Orthotics Course (1989)
  • "Lower Extremity Orthotics in Upper Motor Neuron Disorders" Lower Extremity and Spinal Orthotics Course (1989)
  • "Medical Management of Behavior Disorders" Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Traumatic Brain Injury National Conference (1989)
  • "Functional Assessment, Outcome, and Prognosis in Traumatic Brain Injury" Department of Neurology Grand Rounds (1988)
  • "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome" Worker's Compensation Board, New York State Conference (1988)
  • "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" Worker's Compensation Board, New York State Conference (1987)
  • "Normal Gait" Lower Extremity Prosthetic Course (1987)
  • "The Role of Clinical Neurophysiology in Diagnosis of Peripheral Neuromuscular Disease" State University of New York at Buffalo Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory and Clinics and Muscular Dystrophy Associates Conference (1986)
  • "The Role of Rehabilitation Medicine in Treatment of Peripheral Neuromuscular Disease" State University of New York at Buffalo Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory and Clinics and Muscular Dystrophy Association Conference (1986)
  • "Deleterious Effects of Bedrest and Immobilization" Department of Medicine Grand Rounds; South Buffalo Mercy Hospital (1986)
  • "Normal Gait" Lower Extremity Prosthetic Course (1985)
  • "Prosthetic Gait Deviations" Lower Extremity Prosthetic Course (1985)
  • "Electrodiagnosis in Rehabilitation Medicine" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine; State University of New York at Buffalo (1985)
  • "Rehabilitation of the Amputee" Department of Surgery Grand Rounds (1985)
  • "Introduction to Upper Extremity Orthotics" Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Didactic Lecture Series; State University of New York at Buffalo
See all (87 more)

Service Activities:
  • Musculoskeletal Organ Module for the Regulon Curriculum; Co-Chair (1999–present)
  • Regulon Curriculum Committee; Member (1999–present)
  • Committee on Promotions; Member (1998–present)
  • Chair Search Committee; Member (1995–1997)
  • Third Year Selective Committee; Member (1991–1994)
  • Research Committee; Member (1990–2002)
  • Advisory Committee; Member (1989–1994)
  • Undergraduate Medical Education; Chair (1987–2002)
  • Student Affairs Committee; Member (1986)
  • Third and Fourth Year Committee; Member (1985–1988)
  • Graduate Medical Education Committee; Member (1984–2009)

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Contact Information

Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider Street
Buffalo, New York 14215
Phone: (716) 898-3106
czyrny@buffalo.edu
View map

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD
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