Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of accelerated rehabilitation surgical nursing combined with Rosenthal effect nursing intervention on the rehabilitation process and quality of life in athletes undergoing spinal fracture surgery. Given the unique physical demands and recovery goals of athletes, this study provides insights into tailored postoperative care strategies for this specific population. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 129 postoperative athlete patients with spinal fractures treated in our hospital from March 2020 to March 2021. Due to various reasons, 9 patients were excluded, leaving 60 patients in both the control and observation groups. The control group received accelerated rehabilitation surgical care, while the observation group additionally received Rosenthal effect nursing intervention. The study compared the rehabilitation progress, quality of life, and self-efficacy post-surgery between these two groups. Results: Initially, there was no significant difference in quality-of-life scores between the groups (P>0.05). Post-intervention, the observation group, which included athletes, showed significantly higher improvements in social function, psychological function, and material life status than the control group (P<0.05), the observation group exhibited better motor function scores, neurological recovery, and self-efficacy post-nursing (P<0.05). Additionally, the observation group had lower Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, and shorter times for intestinal function recovery, first exhaust, and first defecation compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of accelerated rehabilitation surgical nursing and Rosenthal effect nursing intervention is particularly effective for athletes recovering from spinal fractures. It not only enhances the quality of life and self-efficacy but also accelerates physical recovery and reduces the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremities. These findings suggest that this tailored approach is highly beneficial in the postoperative care of spinal fractures in athletic populations, promoting a quicker and more effective return to their high-demand physical activities.