Rehabilitation of knee mobility using hydrokinesitherapy in patients with gonarthrosis

Abstract

Knee joint arthrosis is the most frequent type of rheumatic injury; the symptoms are: pain, articular stiffness and functional deterioration. Hydrokinesitherapy represents the carry out of kinesitherapy under specific conditions determined by the fact that subjects are in immersion in water. Application of hydrokinesitherapy methods depending on diagnosis, needs and limits of the patient with gonarthrosis by developing individual and group programs will lead to the significant increase in the quality and effectiveness of the recovery process. Thus, the purpose of this study was to introduce to the recovery plan the hydrokinesitherapeutic means that would lead to gaining stability, flexibility and mobility of knee arthrosis. The methodological approach of the study consisted of two equal batches - experimental and control-made up of 6 patients each aged between 44-58 years. Differentiation between the two batches - experimental and control - was made through the therapy program applied. The control batch underwent a usual kinetic program, while the experimental batch underwent a kinetic program in aquatic environment as well.
The results obtained proved that the application of hydrokinesitherapy procedures, based on diagnosis, needs and limits of the patient with arthrosis, correlated with tests for assessment of quality and effectiveness of the recovery process shows an increase in the quality of functional recovery of the knee.

Key words:

hydrokinesitherapy, knee joint arthrosis, recovery of knee mobility