The interview

Mohammed Firas Wahbeh, Syria

What is your profession:

Physical therapist since 1996, CPO Practitioner since 2001
 

How is the rehabilitation treatment of spine diseases managed in your country?

The specialist doctor (orthopaedic - neurological, - spine surgery) diagnoses the condition after the necessary clinical, radiological and laboratory tests. After diagnosis, the specialist doctor decides the appropriate type of treatment (medication - injections -physiotherapy - surgical treatment )... when he is referred to the physiotherapy, the physiotherapy and rehabilitation doctor set up the appropriate treatment program, then the physical therapist applies the treatment plan after discussing it with the specialist doctor and the physiotherapy doctor.

Scoliosis: how is it treated?

After being diagnosed with scoliosis, the doctor refers the patient to a physiotherapist and an orthotist. As an orthotist, I do the technical evaluation for the child (posture assessment - recording clinical observations - the study of the radiograph). Often the radiograph is studied through a special computer program, all of these procedures to determine the type of scoliosis and scoliosis curvature classification to determine the type of appropriate brace type according to the classification and clinical and radiograph assessment.

What would you like to improve on the clinical practice currently followed in your country? 

- adopting the school examination for early detection of foot deformities, scoliosis, and spinal deformities;

- an establishment of specialised institutes that teach specific approaches to treating scoliosis and spinal deformities (specific therapeutic exercises) by an approved academic approach;

- an establishment of specialised institutes that teach manufacture scoliosis braces by approved academic methods;

- increase community education and awareness about scoliosis and spinal deformities.

What can the Scoliosis Online Master Course PPSCT give you and how do you think you can apply this knowledge in your daily clinical practice?

Improving my knowledge and skills about scoliosis (frankly, starting from day one), there was a lot of academic information presented in a systematic way. It made me read more, learn more, learn about a different approach from other countries, it opened my mind about seeing scoliosis in a broader view, and most accurate, which encourages me daily to learn more.