Effects of Aquatic Therapy and Land-Based Therapy versus Land-Based Therapy Alone on Range of Motion, Edema, and Function after Hip or Knee Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Current evidence for non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical treatments of canine osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disease process that affects a significant proportion of the canine population, impacting these animals' quality of life. Currently, there is no cure and treatment consists of managing the clinical signs of pain and reduced mobility. There are many treatments for canine osteoarthritis and in this review we discuss the evidence base behind non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical treatments of this disease. These treatments include weight management, nutraceuticals, acupuncture, physiotherapies such as therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy as well as other therapeutic modalities including photobiomodulation therapy, electromagnetic field therapy and others.

Effects of aquatic exercises in patients after total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a surgical procedure that can alter physical function and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to verify the effects of aquatic exercises compared with exercises on land, control or other modalities, in patients undergoing THA on the primary outcomes: self-reported physical function, quality of life and pain; and secondary outcomes: muscle strength, functional capacity and gait.

DESIGN

Systematic review that followed the PRISMA Statement and PROSPERO registered. The search was performed in the following databases: Web of Science, Embase, Medline, Cinahl, Lilacs, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, Scopus, SciELO, and PEDro, from 1945 to 2022. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2) from the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTS

Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, with a total of 364 participants. In the selection process, two publications from the same study were found. The RoB2 assessment classified one RCT as "high risk of bias" and the others as "low risk of bias". Therefore, the analysis of the results considered only studies with a low risk of bias. For the self-reported physical function outcome, evaluated by WOMAC, improvement was observed in favor of aquatic exercises, when started on the 14th postoperative day. Pain improved after 24th week postoperative, in favor of exercise (effect size between 0.2 and 0.4). Quality of life, verified only by one RCT, improved at each time point evaluated (effect size between 0.01 and 0.10). The functional capacity showed no difference between the groups. This was the first systematic review to assess the benefits of aquatic exercises specifically in THA and it was possible to infer that the exercises initiated after 14 days of postoperative are safer. The protocol should include proprioceptive, coordination, and resistance exercises. The session can last around 30 min and is held three times a week.

CONCLUSION

Decision making for treatment in the postoperative of THA may include aquatic exercises as a safe and efficacious alternative to improve self-reported physical function, pain, quality of life, and muscle resistance.

Effects of Adding Aquatic-to-Land-Based Physiotherapy Programs for Shoulder Joint Position Sense Rehabilitation

There is limited evidence regarding the effects of aquatic-based physiotherapy on shoulder proprioception following post-traumatic injury to the joint. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of additional aquatic-based rehabilitation to a land-based physiotherapy program on shoulder joint position sense (JPS) rehabilitation. Forty-four individuals (mean age 44.50 ± 10.11) who had suffered a post-traumatic shoulder injury less than five months previously were pseudo-randomly allocated equally into a control group (9 females, 13 males) and experimental group (6 females, 16 males). Both groups received individualized standard land-based physiotherapy on average for 50 min per session, with five sessions per week for four consecutive weeks. The experimental group received an additional 30 min of personalized aquatic-based therapy during each session. Shoulder JPS was assessed by flexion (60°), extension (25°), abduction (60°), internal rotation (35°) and external rotation (35°) positions prior, halfway through, and after the intervention. Shoulder JPS improved significantly for all positions for both the control group (p < 0.03) and the experimental group (p < 0.01). No significant differences between the control group and the experimental group were found for change in shoulder JPS over time. Our results indicate that shoulder JPS can be significantly improved among individuals with post-traumatic injury to the joint through four weeks of personalized physiotherapy. The addition of aquatic-based exercises to standard land-based therapy did not, however, show significant benefits, and thus cannot be recommended for the improvement of shoulder JPS based on our findings.

Estimation of Expenditure and Challenges Related to Rehabilitation After Knee Arthroplasty: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Expenditure for rehabilitation following knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis- and rehabilitation-related challenges following discharge to home after surgery is not available in the Indian context.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate cost of rehabilitation and document challenges in following rehabilitation advices, from a patient perspective.

METHODS

We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study of patients visiting the orthopedic department at a tertiary care public-funded hospital in New Delhi and included those who recently (less than 4 months) underwent primary knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. A trained physiotherapist not involved in clinical care collected information on expenditures incurred after discharge from hospital, patient's ability to recall the advices given by the physician and challenges they experienced using a semi-structured questionnaire. We report median costs by category of direct and indirect cost and used linear regression to explore determinants of cost.

RESULTS

We interviewed 82 consecutive patients (mean age 60.8 years and 68% females) with median time since surgery of 28 days. More than half (52%) sought some support for physiotherapy. The median cost of rehabilitation was INR 18,395 (Interquartile-range 11,325-27,775). Direct medical cost contributed to 74% of total cost (32% fee for services, 21% medications and lab investigations, 21% assistive devices). Twenty percent higher costs were incurred among those undergoing bilateral knee surgery after adjusting for age, sex, income, and type of physiotherapy support sought. Challenges were related to recall of advices, not understanding the recovery process and pain management.

CONCLUSION

About half patients undergoing knee arthroplasty seek support for rehabilitation after discharge to home contributing to a major portion of expenses incurred during rehabilitation. Cost-effective support mechanism for home-based rehabilitation is required for improving patient rehabilitation experiences.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-021-00405-6.

Randomized controlled trial of aquatic exercise for treatment of knee osteoarthritis in elderly people

Aim

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of aquatic exercise on pain, gait, and balance among elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

We performed a randomized controlled trial at a university hospital. Overall, 32 men with knee osteoarthritis, aged ≥ 60 years, were included. Pain, balance, and gait were evaluated before and 2 months after interventions. The group control used acetaminophen and followed lifestyle recommendations. The intervention group performed the aquatic exercise three sessions per week for 8 weeks.

Results

At the end of the study, mean pain scores were significantly different between the groups (p = 0.010). Within-group analyses showed that group intervention experienced significant pain relief (p = 0.019), whereas group control did not show the significant change (p = 0.493). There was significant improvement in favor of aquatic exercise with regard to static (p = 0.001) and dynamic (p = 0.001) balance, step length (p = 0.038), stride length (p < 0.001), and cadence (p < 0.001). However, we did not find a significant difference in step time and width between the two groups.

Conclusions

Aquatic exercise would be beneficial in decreasing subjective pain of osteoarthritis. There are some recognizable improvements in patients’ gait and balance as well.

The benefits of combining water and land-based therapy

As the general population ages and lives longer with chronic disease and related disability, an increasing number of individuals may be pre-cluded from participating and excelling in traditional land-based therapy or exercise alone, despite its known benefits. This article discusses the benefits of water as an exercise and therapeutic medium, as well as the value of combining both water and land modalities, which enhance the benefits of exercise synergistically. This combined water and land approach has the potential to help clients achieve greater therapeutic benefits and clinical outcomes. As an example, described in this article are the rationale and basic framework for one treatment paradigm supported by research literature, the Burdenko Method, which has utilized combined exercise in water and on land for over four decades. These perspectives will hopefully foster increased understanding and application of exercise principles and programs outside of traditional land-based approaches.

[The efficiency and expediency of different rehabilitation approaches after knee replacement]

The paper reviews the literature on the efficiency of different rehabilitation methods after knee arthroplasty, such as continuous passive motion (CPM) therapy, exercises for balance and strengthening of hip muscles on the postoperative leg, and aquatic rehabilitation. It analyzes the optimal periods of rehabilitation initiation and continuance, studies of the Pilates system for patients after knee arthroplasty, kinesiotaping, fast-track rehabilitation, and Locomat robotic system. Various functional tests and questionnaire surveys are considered as performance measures. CPM therapy and the Pilates method are shown to require an additional investigation for inclusion in the standard rehabilitation program. Balance exercises have a positive impact on functional status and mobility in patients after surgery. Exercises for strengthening the hip muscles on the postoperative leg and aquatic training are recommended for use in routine practice. Kinesiotaping is successfully used to more effectively perform exercises, by reducing pain, edema and to improve a patient's psychological status. The Locomat can be used for walking technology training, which will be able to enhance the structure of a step and amortization function. The time taken in the rehabilitation center can be reduced using the fast-track rehabilitation program.

Impact of water therapy on pain management in patients with fibromyalgia: current perspectives

Exercise-related interventions have been recommended as one of the main components in the management of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Water therapy, which combines water's physical properties and exercise benefits, has proven effective in improving the clinical symptoms of FMS, especially pain, considered the hallmark of this syndrome. However, to our knowledge, the mechanisms underlying water therapy effects on pain are still scarcely explored in the literature. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to present the current perspectives on water therapy and the physiological basis for the mechanisms supporting its use for pain management in patients with FMS. Furthermore, the effects of water therapy on the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuroendocrine systems and inflammation are also addressed. Taking into account the aspects reviewed herein, water therapy is recommended as a nonpharmacologic therapeutic approach in the management of FMS patients, improving pain, fatigue, and quality of life. Future studies should focus on clarifying whether mechanisms and long-lasting effects are superior to other types of nonpharmacological interventions, as well as the economic and societal impacts that this intervention may present.

Patient education and rehabilitation after hip arthroplasty in an Italian spa center: a pilot study on its feasibility

Nowadays, some spa centers are suitable for providing rehabilitative and preventive treatment in association with traditional spa therapy. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of an intensive rehabilitation program after hip arthroplasty in an Italian spa center. Early after total hip arthroplasty for severe osteoarthritis (≤ 10 days after the intervention), 12 consecutive patients (5 males and 7 females) aged between 50 and 85 years were enrolled for this study. All the patients performed a 2-week thermal multimodal rehabilitation program, which consisted of education and physical rehabilitative measures. Patients had 2-h and half/day session of land-based and hydrokinesitherapy (aquatic therapy) consisted in active and passive joint mobilization, respiratory and functional re-education exercises, gait and balance training, resistance exercise, and power training mainly for the upper limb associated to physical therapy modalities (electrotherapy and low-level laser therapy). An educational program was performed to both patients and families. Both before and after the rehabilitation treatment, patients underwent clinical evaluation, hip flexion/abduction range of motion, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Harris Hip Score (HHS) and SF-12 questionnaires (physical-PCS-12-and mental health component-MCS-12) were also administered. After the 2-week thermal spa treatment, hip flexion/abduction improved significantly (p < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant reduction in pain (p = 0.350). The HHS score improved significantly from 62.6 ± 12.8 to 82.15 ± 12.7 (p < 0.05), and the PCS-12 score from 36.37 ± 8.4 to 43.61 ± 8.95 (p < 0.05). There was no adverse event during spa treatment. After total hip arthroplasty, patients who underwent an intensive post-acute multimodal rehabilitation program showed an improvement in motor and functional recovery and a positive impact on quality of life. Therefore, we believe that the thermal setting is a suitable place for providing intensive rehabilitative treatment in orthopedic musculoskeletal disability.

Enhancing Recovery After Total Knee Arthroplasty

There have been multiple successful efforts to improve and shorten the recovery period after elective total joint arthroplasty. The development of rapid recovery protocols through a multidisciplinary approach has occurred in recent years to improve patient satisfaction as well as outcomes. Bundled care payment programs and the practice of outpatient total joint arthroplasty have provided additional pressure and incentives for surgeons to provide high-quality care with low cost and complications. In this review, the evidence for modern practices are reviewed regarding patient selection and education, anesthetic techniques, perioperative pain management, intraoperative factors, blood management, and postoperative rehabilitation.

A Water Rehabilitation Program in Patients with Hip Osteoarthritis Before and After Total Hip Replacement

BACKGROUND Pain associated with coxarthrosis, typically occurring in middle-aged and elderly patients, very commonly causes considerable limitation of motor fitness and dependence on pharmacotherapy. This article provides an assessment of a rehabilitation program with tailored water exercises in patients with osteoarthritis before and after total hip replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 192 patients (the mean age 61.03±10.89) suffering from hip osteoarthritis (OA) were evaluated before and after total hip replacement (THR). The clinical study covered measurements of hip active ranges of motion (HAROM) and the forces generated by pelvis stabilizer muscles. Pain intensity was assessed according to analogue-visual scale of pain (VAS) and according to the Modified Laitinen Questionnaire. The patients were divided into 6 groups (4 treatment and 2 control). We compared 2 rehabilitation programs using kinesitherapy and low-frequency magnetic field. One of them also had specially designed exercises in the water. Statistical analysis was carried out at the significance level α=0.05. This was a cross-sectional study. RESULTS A positive effect of water exercises on a number of parameters was found in patients with OA both before and after total hip replacement surgery. We noted a significant reduction of pain (p<0.001), increased ranges of motion and muscle strength, and reduced use of medicines (NASAIDs) (p<0.001). A correlation was found between the degree of degenerative deforming lesions and the effects of the treatment process (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS 1. The rehabilitation program including water exercises most significantly reduced pain in patients with OA before and after total hip replacement surgery. 2. Inclusion of water exercises in a rehabilitation program can reduce the use of medicines in patient with OA and after THR.