[Postoperative physical rehabilitation. Therapeutic goals and procedures in head and neck cancer]

The objective of postoperative physical rehabilitation of patients with head and neck carcinoma is to re-establish their physical, emotional, and social capabilities as far as possible. It is the task of the specialist in physical medicine to diagnose on musculoskeletal system-related problems, to establish concepts for rehabilitation treatment, and to define the aims of therapy. Depending on the clinical situation, pain has to be reduced, edemas eliminated, muscle balance re-established and endurance improved. Special emphasis must be put on correct breathing and to the training of the activities of daily living.