Bettruhe

Bettruhe, or bed rest, is a medical prescription that restricts a person’s physical activity and confines them to bed or near-bed rest. The aim is to reduce physical strain to aid healing or prevent worsening of a condition. It may be prescribed in-hospital or at home and can be combined with monitored rest, hydration, and, in obstetric patients, fetal monitoring or other supportive measures.

Indications include obstetric complications such as threatened miscarriage or preterm labor in some cases, recovery after certain surgeries, severe infections requiring rest, or acute injuries like spinal or orthopedic conditions. In modern medical practice, bed rest is used more selectively because prolonged immobility carries risks and benefits are often uncertain.

Risks and drawbacks of Bettruhe include muscle atrophy, loss of bone density, increased risk of blood clots, pressure ulcers, metabolic changes, and psychological effects such as anxiety or depression. It can also burden patients and caregivers and may delay rehabilitation if prescribed for longer than necessary. Therefore, contemporary guidelines emphasize the shortest duration compatible with medical need and often favor modified activity, assisted mobility, or graded exercises.

In many countries the use of Bettruhe has become more conservative; evidence for its effectiveness is mixed, and when prescribed, it is regularly reevaluated. The term remains in use primarily in obstetrics and postoperative care, but with increased emphasis on individualized plans and early mobilization where appropriate.