title: [Initiation of rehabilitation after surgery for herniated lumbar disk: pilot study of efficacy from the viewpoint of the surgical hospital].
abstract: The initiation of rehabilitation after lumbar disc surgery in Germany is up to the operating hospital. A decision between outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation is possible. Until now this decision is not based on scientific data but on the individual experience of the hospital. This prospective study compares the effect of outpatient and inpatient therapy: In 65 patients medical and psychosocial data were collected shortly before operation, 1 week and 6 months after surgery. Of these patients, 42 underwent inpatient, 21 outpatient rehabilitation, 2 patients renounced rehabilitation. The outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation groups showed no significant difference in testing before or shortly after the operation concerning subjective state of health and somatic findings. Some 6 months later, long term outcome was identical, i.e. the groups did not differ in psychosocial or medical respects. However, the inpatient rehabilitation group had taken significantly longer to return to work. This pilot study stresses the importance of further research on rehabilitation after lumbar disc surgery. It should be shared by surgeons and rehabilitation experts.
authors.affiliation: Neurochirurgische Klinik, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Magdeburg.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Woischneck
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rückert
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Heissler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D018582:Sick Leave; D013997:Time Factors