gms | German Medical Science

Medical interventions focus on causation and disease processes, while rehabilitation, including most elements of physical therapy, is concerned with the consequences of disease. Its goals are to reduce symptoms, improve function and minimize disability.

With occurrence of joint destructions of individual joints the diagnosis of anatomic and functional deficits (ROM, strength, stability) guides rehabilitative or surgical management. It is important to identify the stage of tissue injury and repair before beginning a treatment program: Treatment of inflammation, pain, structure defect, mobilization, strengthening, functional restoration.

The base of an therapeutically program is the differenciated anamnesis: The investigation focussed on tissue structure, pain, mobility and muscle function. Regional findings are the dominat base. For the local physical therapy we need the actually situation of the topical structure to form a therapeutically aim. The defined therapeutic remedy (effects, parameters, indications) offered a functional therapy. The interaction between patient and therapist is a dynamic system with the aim: normalizing the dysfunction. Physical therapy so as kinesitherapy, mechanotherapy and thermotherapy is realized by a lot of technical modalities with different evidence.

Central to muskuloskeletal function are joint and muscle biomechanics and neuromuscular functioning. This section illustrates joint mobilization and immobilization techniques, techniques to increase muscle strength, endurance and neuromuscular functioning. Modalities help to improve musculoskeletal functioning by reducing pain and inflammation, stimulate reparative processes and regulate muscle tone. Complex modern exercise programs included static and dynamic exercises, flexibility training, physical fitness.

Supported therapeutic remedies are: therapeutic heat and cold, massage and electrotherapy. Braces and taping are external devices, that aid simple or complex body functions.

A growing number of scientific and clinical studies have shown more or less evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of many interventions in sports medicine. Appropriate instruments to measure improvement processes and outcomes are available and are being used more and more in research and clinical practice. The development of the scientific base is necessary.