Mc Avoy R (2009). Aquatic and land based therapy vs land therapy on the outcome of total knee arthroplasty a pilot randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Evaluating Therapy Methods for TKA
Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a common and effective solution for knee pain and dysfunction, often resulting from osteoarthritis. With an increasing number of TKAs performed annually, optimizing rehabilitation methods is crucial. This pilot randomized clinical trial by Richard McAvoy explores the efficacy of integrating aquatic therapy with traditional land-based therapy compared to exclusive land therapy in improving post-TKA recovery metrics such as pain, range of motion (ROM), and swelling.

Methodology: A Structured Approach
Thirty subjects who had undergone unilateral TKA were randomized into two groups: an integrated therapy group receiving both aquatic and land-based therapy, and a control group receiving only land-based therapy. The study evaluated changes in pain, swelling, ROM, and functional outcomes using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) questionnaire over six weeks of intervention and at a six-month follow-up.

Results: Notable Improvements with Integrated Therapy
The integrated therapy group showed significant improvement in knee flexion ROM immediately after the six-week therapy program. Although there were no significant differences in pain, swelling, and KOOS scores immediately post-therapy, the six-month follow-up revealed significant improvements in KOOS symptom scores for the integrated therapy group, suggesting long-term benefits of combining aquatic with land-based therapy.

Conclusion: The Advantage of Integrated Therapy
The study indicates that patients undergoing unilateral TKA may benefit from a rehabilitation program that includes both aquatic and land-based exercises. The aquatic component, possibly due to its unique properties such as hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy, might contribute to better long-term outcomes in terms of symptom relief and functional improvements. These findings advocate for further research to explore the full potential of integrated therapy approaches in TKA rehabilitation.

Keywords: Total Knee Arthroplasty, Aquatic Therapy, Land-Based Therapy, Rehabilitation, ROM, KOOS, Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Explore the benefits of combining aquatic and land-based therapy over land therapy alone in TKA rehabilitation in this pilot randomized clinical trial.