Return to Work after Disk Surgery - Influenced by Rehabilitation?

Objective The aim of this study was a comparison of treatment results in the year after disk surgery between the following treatment groups: rehabilitation immediately after discharge from hospital, rehabilitation with a transition time (at home) up to twenty days after rehabilitation or no rehabilitation. Methods On basis of claims data from a statutory health insurance and the German Federal Pension Fund the comparison of treatment results was performed. Therefore, duration of disability, return to work and early retirement are considered as treatment results and are analyzed using general linear models (GLM). Furthermore utilization of occupational rehabilitation was compared between the treatment groups with logistic regression. Results Rehabilitants showed a lower risk of unemployment. Moreover, rehabilitants utilize more often occupational rehabilitation. Both rehabilitation treatment groups had a higher duration of disability (including duration of rehabilitation) in the first quarter after surgery. Afterwards the duration of disability decreased faster. Risk of early retirement was higher in patients that started rehabilitation immediately. Conclusion Rehabilitants tend to have better treatment results in the year following disc surgery.