Osteoarthritis

Hydrotherapy benefits for osteoarthritis patients.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. it affects joints, the knee is a very common joint to be affected by OA.

Exercising provides multiple benefits for patients with OA, these are:

• Increased level of function.
• Decrees in pain.
• Increased muscle strength and resistance.
• Improved stiffness.

Hydrotherapy allows the patient to perform closed-chain exercises because of lesser weight bearing due to the water.

Methods which can be used

Sources

Hydrotherapy improves pain and function in older women with knee osteoarthritis: a rondomized controlled trial, by João Marcos Dias, etc. (2017).
Effect of therapeutic aquatic exercise on symptoms and function associated with lower limb osteoarthritis: A systematic review with meta-analysis, by Benjamin Waller, etc. (2014).
Physiotherapist-designed aquatic exercise programme for community-dwelling elders with osteoarthritis of the knee: a Hong Kong pilot study, by Mary CK Lau, etc. (2014).