Psychosomatic aspects in orthopedics [Psychosomatische Aspekte in der Orthopädie]

Psychosomatic disease patterns are a common differential diagnosis for orthopedic symptoms. Furthermore, mental factors, such as the method of disease processing or mental comorbidities, such as depression or somatization disorders have a great influence on the chronification of orthopedic complaints and the outcome following orthopedic interventions. The aim of this article is to present the psychosomatic pathomechanisms and disease patterns relevant for orthopedics and to derive recommendations for physician-patient communication, diagnostics, therapy and assessment. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.