title: [After-care and rehabilitation following surgical treatment of vertebral fractures].
abstract: The surgical treatment of spinal injuries has significantly contributed to the general progress in spinal surgery. Better understanding of the biomechanics of the healthy and injured spine, better diagnostic tools and relevant innovation in implants to stabilize and correct spinal segments have fundamentally changed the treatment options in the spinal trauma. Long duration of immobilization either in bed or with uncomfortable external fixation devices may be avoided by immediate internal fixation of the injured spine. This type of surgery allows early active motion and mobilization. The aftercare of patients with spinal injuries without neurological deficit, therefore, has become quite simple and is limited to active stabilizing muscle exercises and reestablishing of the muscle equilibrium. The tetraplegic and paraplegic patient, however, belongs still and clearly to a specialized center--immediately after the primary care in a surgical center--and should profit from an interdisciplinary team approach. But in this type of fatal injuries, too, the place of immediate surgical stabilization and correction of the injured spine is established today in order to help the rehabilitation and to shorten demoralizing immobilization and bed rest time.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aebi
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000601:surgery*
vernacular_title: Nachbehandlung und Rehabilitation nach operativer Behandlung von Wirbelfrakturen.