Michael J. Delahanty, DO
Chairman, Department of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director, Edwin Shaw Rehab
Soothing. That's how patients describe aquatic therapy. Better yet, enhanced rehabilitation benefits can be obtained through the use of warm water therapy. It can be particularly bene.ficial following bilateral total knee replacement (TKR).
Approximately 267,000 total knee replacements are performed each year. Over the years, the age at which TKR is performed has decreased thanks to improvements in success rates and replacement components. Patients generally remain in the hospital four to five days, with the usual total recovery period extended to three months.
Therapy performed in warm water offers a wide variety of benefits for patients with limited weight-bearing ability, such as those with hip and knee replacements, as well as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, low back pain, fractures, back surgery or trauma of the lower extremities. Because water supports the body, reduces joint stress, and provides assistance for movement, patients with these conditions rehabilitate more quickly.
In a 2004 Journal of Rheumatology study, aggressive postoperative physical therapy proved effective in shortening hospital stay and contributed significantly to the degree of postoperative knee flexion regained. It is no secret that a faster return to knee strength, range of motion, and reduced pain can lead to a shorter rehabilitation period and a more rapid return to independent living. Combining warm water therapy with other forms of therapy can significantly decrease rehabilitation time and increase range of motion (ROM).
Increased patient comfort in the therapeutic pool often makes it possible to work on several issues simultaneously, such as strengthening, conditioning, flexibility and pain relief. The increased ROM and pain relief most patients obtain in the therapeutic pool promotes a positive attitude and is very helpful in getting the patients moving on land also.
Patients do not need to know how to swim before participating in aquatic therapy. Licensed therapists work with each patient individually. Patients seldom submerge totally and are never left unattended while in the water. Edwin Shaw Rehab’s therapeutic pools are four feet deep, with the temperature maintained between 92-94° F. Chlorine levels are tested daily and regular cultures are obtained per Ohio Department of Health guidelines.
Many orthopaedic patients will benefit from a rehabilitation program combining traditional on-land therapy with aquatic therapy. However, aquatic therapy is not recommended for patients with infectious diseases, rashes, open wounds, tracheotomy, incontinence or history of seizures.
Aquatic therapy is offered at the main Edwin Shaw Rehab hospital, at SwimEx in Hudson and at the AGMC Health & Wellness Center – West in Montrose. Most insurance plans require a specific prescription for physical therapy with aquatic exercise. To make an appointment at Edwin Shaw Rehab locations, patients should call Registration at 330-784-1271, ext. 5205. For an appointment at the Health & Wellness Center, please call 330-665-8200 through the use of warm water therapy.
