Evidence Based Position Paper on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) practice for persons with spinal deformities during growth. The European PRM position (UEMS PRM Section)

INTRODUCTION: Scoliosis and other spinal deformities involve 3-4% of the population during growth. Their so-called conservative treatment is in the field of competence of physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) physicians. This evidence based position paper represents the official position of the European Union through the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) - PRM Section. The aim of the paper was to improve PRM specialists' professional practice for patients with spinal deformities during growth. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review of the literature and a Consensus procedure with 26 recommendations by means of a Delphi method process has been performed involving the delegates of all European countries represented in the UEMS-PRM Section. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: the systematic literature review is reported together with 26 recommendations coming from the Consensus Delphi procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The professional role of PRM physicians in spinal deformities during growth is to propose a complete PRM treatment for the patients considering all the concurring diseases and pathologies, impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. The PRM physician's role is to coordinate the individual PRM project developed in team with other health professionals and medical specialists, in agreement with the patient and his family, according to the specific medical diagnoses.