title: Complications of immobilization and bed rest. Part 1: Musculoskeletal and cardiovascular complications.
abstract: Prolonged bed rest and immobilization inevitably lead to complications. Such complications are much easier to prevent than to treat. Musculoskeletal complications include loss of muscle strength and endurance, contractures and soft tissue changes, disuse osteoporosis, and degenerative joint disease. Cardiovascular complications include an increased heart rate, decreased cardiac reserve, orthostatic hypotension, and venous thromboembolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Western Ontario, London.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Dittmer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teasell
mesh_terms: D001510:Bed Rest / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*