A new study published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation reveals that aquatic therapy soon after total knee arthroplasty can improve outcomes in some patients.
Despite increased use of total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty, there is disagreement among healthcare professionals as to the best route of post-operative treatment. The study shows aquatic therapy offers numerous benefits for patients.
"This multicenter study demonstrates that the timing of physiotherapy measures, such as aquatic therapy, has clinically relevant effects after TKA," said Thoralf Liebs, lead investigator. "Ours is one of the few studies that demonstrates a clinically important effect on the health-related quality of life after TKA by a factor that can be influenced by the healthcare professional. The intervention is simple to administer, and requires limited extra input from the healthcare professional."
Although various knee and hip injuries can occur among individuals of all ages, senior citizens are especially susceptible to these types of injuries as they grow older and bones become more brittle. Before medical treatments become more frequent, all aging individuals are encouraged to have some kind of life insurance coverage in place.