[Intervertebral disk surgery and postoperative rehabilitation treatment: effect on health status]

There is an increasing frequency of lumbar disc surgery in many countries. In the Federal Republic of Germany, many patients are admitted to in-patient rehabilitation immediately after surgery, which causes additional socioeconomic costs. In order to assess the efficiency of this therapy approach, we used the MOPO Scales, a thoroughly evaluated instrument describing patient health status in both its physical and psychosocial dimensions. In 79 patients who had been followed-up over six months post-discharge from in-patient rehabilitation, a significant increase in mobility, physical activity, activities of daily living, household activities, and social activities was found, as well as a significant decrease in pain, depression and anxiety. These results prove lumbar disc surgery combined with immediate post operative rehabilitation to be efficient.