The “Multidisciplinary Approach to Cerebral Palsy Panel,” jointly organized by the Pediatric Orthopedics Association and the Pediatric Physiotherapists Association, was hosted by Pamukkale University Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation on October 11, 2026. Bringing together academics, clinicians, and students, the panel addressed the assessment, monitoring, and treatment of cerebral palsy from the perspectives of different disciplines.
The first session of the three-session scientific program was chaired by Prof. Dr. Murat Oto and Specialist Physiotherapist Hatice Nur Zengin. In this session, Prof. Dr. Olcay Güngör discussed assessment from a pediatric neurology perspective, Asst. Prof. Dr. Merve Kurt Aydın addressed assessment in high-risk infants, Specialist Physiotherapist Elif Nur Taşcıoğlu discussed assessment from a physiotherapist’s perspective, and Prof. Dr. Güney Yılmaz addressed orthopedic assessment.
The second session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Murat Oto and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Numanoğlu Akbaş, focused on the management of dynamic and static soft tissue problems. Prof. Dr. Güney Yılmaz presented orthopedic approaches to dynamic muscle problems and soft tissue interventions for static muscle problems; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feride Yarar presented rehabilitation following botulinum toxin applications and soft tissue surgery; Prof. Dr. Suat Erel discussed orthosis selection criteria; and Prof. Dr. Umut Baki Tugay addressed respiratory system involvement and the physiotherapist’s role in monitoring and treatment.
The third session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Güney Yılmaz and the Dean of our Faculty, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Kavlak, addressed the management of static contractures and bone and joint deformities. Prof. Dr. Murat Oto discussed hip problems, surveillance, early diagnosis, and knee problems in cerebral palsy; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Tekin addressed the physiotherapist’s role in preventing hip dislocation; and Specialist Physiotherapist Esra Cömert discussed perioperative physiotherapy and rehabilitation in bone surgery.
In addition to the Dean of our Faculty, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Kavlak, the panel was attended by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Fahir Demirkan, Head of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Pamukkale University; faculty members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Çağdaş Yörükoğlu; Physiotherapist Said Yıldız, a Board Member of the Pediatric Physiotherapists Association; Fatih Akyol, Denizli Provincial Representative of TFD; and our colleagues working in Denizli.
We thank the Pediatric Orthopedics Association and the Pediatric Physiotherapists Association, our distinguished speakers, session chairs, and all participants for this event, which provided an opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge and experience in cerebral palsy. We also extend our special thanks to our Faculty’s administrative staff and students for their contributions and dedicated efforts in carrying out the event.
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