Rehabilitation is commonly known as the process of regaining and restoring physical function and strength that was lost from a recent injury. Rehab can also be used to treat a wide spectrum of conditions such as an ankle sprain or helping a stroke survivor walk, to more serious conditions that revolve around the patient’s nervous system. Let’s take a look at knee injuries as well as the use of aquatic therapy to manage the recovery of this type of injury.
What kinds of knee injuries are there?
The knee is a complex joint that is made up of bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage, and it is vulnerable to a variety of injuries. These injuries include tendon tears, meniscal tears, collateral ligament injuries, posterior cruciate ligament injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, dislocations and fractures.
However serious it may sound, the good thing is that many patients make full recoveries from knee injuries when they receive the correct treatment or therapy. There are a number of ways patients sustain knee injuries, and it could be from sports such as skiing, soccer, basketball or other sports that involve sudden changes in direction.
What is aquatic therapy?
As mentioned, the recovery process of knee injuries can be managed by therapy and it does not have to be on land. Simply put, aquatic therapy is physical therapy that’s conducted in a safe, aquatic environment. It is designed to improve and maintain muscle endurance, power and strength; relaxation, locomotion and gait, flexibility, postural stabilization, body mechanics, agility, coordination, balance and overall physical function.
One of the major reasons why many patients opt for aquatic therapy is because of its ability to decrease pain. When the patient immerses him of herself in warm water, their sore muscles will receive a quality flow of blood which promotes greater relaxation. In addition, the natural buoyancy takes away some weight from weakened body structures and keeps the patient feeling comfortable throughout their therapy sessions.
Why use aquatic therapy for knee rehab?
Aquatic therapy allows patients to take advantage of the healing properties of water to control edema, improve strength, increase range of motion and promote improved functional activity tolerance without facing the risks of falling down and injuring themselves any further. Rehabbing in an aquatic setting can also help build confidence for the patient and allow them to recover faster and regain their abilities to carry on with their daily activities.
In addition, it has been proven that patients, who have knee injuries or have gone through surgical procedures such as knee replacements, are more compliant with their programs when they rehab in an aquatic setting. In fact, they will look forward to their sessions and are less likely to reschedule or cancel their appointments.
At Cheshire Fitness Zone, we offer a wide spectrum of therapeutic programs that can be tailored to meet your family’s needs. If your child is recovering from a knee injury and require rehabilitation, consider aquatic therapy. It is not only safe and effective, but fun and engaging at the same time.
