[Rehabilitation after kidney transplantation]

Structured follow-up care starting immediately after the transplantation and living donation and ideally continuing long-term, can improve transplant survival and aid in the detection of risk factors for physical and psychological morbidity of various origins. In addition to classical cardiovascular risk factors, these include a lack of patient adherence, knowledge deficits with respect to the rules of conduct after transplantation and living donation, lack of exercise and coping strategies and also occupational health and social law issues.

This article aims to clarify how rehabilitation measures can optimize the aftercare following kidney transplantation and living donation, what the need for rehabilitation is based on, what goals are pursued and which multidisciplinary therapy modules have been established.

For this purpose, the experiences of a rehabilitation clinic offering rehabilitation after kidney transplantation and living donation and currently treats approximately 600 patients per year since 2000, have been considered in addition to a literature search.

Given the complexity surrounding posttransplantation aftercare, specialized rehabilitation measures focusing on nephrology and transplantation medicine can meaningfully supplement outpatient aftercare after kidney transplantation and living donation, if the rehabilitation clinic fulfils conceptual, personnel, and structural quality requirements. A close cooperation between the rehabilitation clinic, the transplantation center, and the treating nephrologist is essential.

Controlled studies on the effects of long-term aftercare including inpatient rehabilitation are still needed. In this context, prerehabilitation should also be included.