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(804) 828-7069 Jay Pavan, MD
Locations
131 Jennick Drive
Colonial Heights,
VA
23834
Get directions
Education
Medical School
Kasturba Medical College, India
Internship
Clinch Valley Medical Center
Internship
Long Island College Hospital
Residency
Kansas University Medical Center
Residency
Ravi Kirloskar Memorial Hospital, India
Graduate Program
Karnataka Medical College, India
Biography
Spine and nerve care that often stops short of surgery
Not every back problem ends in an operating room. Jay Pavan, M.D., is who patients see when the answer lies somewhere short of surgery.
A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with VCU Health Orthopaedics in the Tri-Cities area, Dr. Pavan treats neck and back pain, arthritis of the spine, herniated disks, pinched nerves and sciatica, and other nontraumatic spine conditions.
“My treatment approach is conservative and nonsurgical,” he says. Care may involve medication, exercise, physical therapy and other modalities, chosen to fit the person. “Our goal is to manage symptoms and improve function.”
Combining imaging studies with a clinical exam lets Dr. Pavan narrow things down. “I am most excited about helping patients better understand the source of their pain or physical limitations and develop individualized treatment plans that help them get back to the activities that matter most to them,” he says.
Dr. Pavan also performs electrodiagnostic testing, including electromyography and nerve conduction studies, which measure the electrical activity of muscles and the speed of signals traveling along nerves. The results help determine whether a symptom is coming from a nerve or from a muscle, a distinction that informs treatment.
Patients describe Dr. Pavan as someone who takes his time, explains a condition in full and knows their history well enough to plan what comes next. He encourages them to treat recovery as a process and to speak up along the way: “Stay engaged in your care and do not be afraid to ask questions. With spinal conditions, understanding what is causing your symptoms can be an important first step towards feeling better. Recovery is often a process, and treatment is not always about eliminating every symptom immediately.”
When a patient does need surgical care, Dr. Pavan coordinates with orthopaedic specialists, neurosurgeons, spine interventional specialists and primary care physicians, sharing records and keeping the referring team current. “What appeals to me most about VCU Health is its combination of comprehensive patient care, education and collaboration,” he says.
Dr. Pavan earned his medical degree at Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, India, and completed a postgraduate diploma in orthopaedics at Karnataka Medical College in Hubli. After an internship at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, he completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Following several rotations at hospitals in Kansas and Missouri, Dr. Pavan began practicing in Virginia in 1999. Two years later, he joined Colonial Orthopaedics, where he has worked ever since, including after its acquisition by VCU Health. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Medical Association. He also holds active privileges at VCU Medical Center.
Outside of work, Dr. Pavan spends time with family and friends, travels and hikes.
