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Medical Specialties

Medical specialties in rehabilitation – simply explained

To give you an overview of what the individual rehabilitation specialties include, we have added a (non-exhaustive) list of examples for each area. We make no claim as to the accuracy or completeness of the examples listed. Below you will find an overview of the different types of treatment.

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Dermatological rehabilitation

Focus: Treatment of skin diseases and their functional and aesthetic consequences.

Typical indications:

  • Chronic skin conditions: e.g. psoriasis, atopic dermatitis
  • Post-surgical skin care: e.g. after removal of skin tumors, skin grafts
  • Scar treatment: improve elasticity, reduce pain and functional limitations

Goal: Relieve symptoms, improve skin function, and restore quality of life.

Geriatric rehabilitation

Focus: Support for elderly people with multiple health conditions to maintain independence.

Typical indications:

  • Multimorbidity with mobility or self-care limitations.
  • Cognitive impairments with rehab potential.
  • Post-surgical recovery (e.g., hip, spine surgery).

GoalImprove autonomy, reduce risk of institutionalization or falls.

Geriatric trauma rehabilitation

Focus: Rehabilitation of elderly patients after fractures and trauma-related limitations.

Typical indications:

  • Femoral neck fracture
  • Vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis
  • Postoperative rehab after joint replacement or orthopedic procedures

Goal: Maintain or restore independence, reduce pain, and prevent falls.

Medical-oncological rehabilitation

Focus: Holistic care after serious internal or cancer-related illnesses.

Typical indications:

  • Cancer aftercare (e.g., breast, colon, lung cancer).
  • Chronic internal conditions (e.g., kidney, liver disease, autoimmune disorders).
  • Fatigue, pain, weight loss after chemotherapy.

Goal: Promote recovery, mental stabilization, and reintegration into daily life.

Cardiac rehabilitation

Focus: Recovery and strengthening after cardiovascular events.

Typical indications:

  • Myocardial infarction, heart surgery (e.g., bypass, valve replacement).
  • Heart failure, arrhythmias.
  • After pacemaker or ICD implantation Goal: Improve physical performance, patient education, and risk reduction.

Goal: Improve physical performance, patient education, and risk reduction.

Musculoskeletal rehabilitation

Focus: Restoring function and resilience of the musculoskeletal system.

Typical indications:

  • Chronic back pain (e.g. herniated discs)
  • Joint diseases (e.g. osteoarthritis, rheumatic disorders)
  • Postoperative rehab after joint replacements or ligament/tendon reconstructions

Goal: Pain relief, functional improvement, and prevention of further degeneration.

Early neurological rehabilitation

Focus: Early rehabilitation following acute neurological events.

Typical indications:

  • Acute phase after stroke
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Neuromuscular disorders (e.g. Guillain-Barré syndrome, severe myasthenic crises)

Goal: Promote early functional recovery, prevent secondary complications, and prepare for further rehabilitation.

Neurological rehabilitation

Focus: Rehabilitation of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.

Typical indications:

  • Post-stroke conditions in follow-up rehabilitation.
  • Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS.
  • Peripheral nerve damage (e.g., post-surgery or trauma).

Goal: Restore motor, cognitive, and practical daily skills; support reintegration into work and life.

Pediatric rehabilitation

Focus: Rehabilitation of children and adolescents with congenital or acquired limitations.

Typical indications:

  • Congenital neurological disorders (e.g. cerebral palsy)
  • Post-accident care (e.g. traumatic brain injury, polytrauma)
  • Chronic diseases (e.g. cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy)

Goal: Support physical, cognitive and social development to promote participation in everyday life.

Paraplegiological rehabilitation

Focus: Comprehensive rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries and paralysis.

Typical indications:

  • Traumatic spinal cord injuries (e.g., car accidents, falls).
  • Non-traumatic spinal cord damage (e.g., tumors, infections, vascular causes).
  • Rehabilitation follow-up after acute care in specialized centers.

Goal: Regaining independence, improving mobility, bowel/bladder management, psychosocial stability and participation.

Psychosomatic rehabilitation

Focus: Treatment of functional disorders influenced by psychological and physical factors.

Typical indications:

  • Stress-related conditions (e.g. burnout syndrome, depression with somatic symptoms)
  • Chronic pain (e.g. fibromyalgia, functional pain syndromes)
  • Eating disorders (e.g. anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder)

Goal: Maintain or restore autonomy, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Focus: Improving lung function and endurance in chronic respiratory diseases.

Typical indications:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Bronchial asthma
  • Postoperative rehab after lung surgery

Goal: Increase physical endurance, improve breathing techniques, and reduce symptoms.

Medically monitored rehabilitation

Focus: Rehabilitation for patients requiring intensive medical monitoring.

Typical indications:

  • Severe heart failure (e.g. patients with LVAD)
  • Complex neurological conditions (e.g. tracheostomy, mechanical ventilation)
  • Multimorbid patients with unstable conditions

Goal: Safe rehabilitation with continuous monitoring, avoid decompensation, and achieve stability.