Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
08:48
Adapted Resistance Training Improves Strength in Eight Weeks in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: January 29, 2016
A specific inpatient aquatic physiotherapy program improves strength after total hip or knee replacement surgery: a
Ann E Rahmann1, Sandra G Brauer, Jennifer C Nitz
1Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia. a.rahmann@uq.edu.au
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|May 2, 2009
Summary
Early inpatient aquatic physiotherapy significantly improved hip abductor strength after hip or knee replacement surgery. This intervention is safe and beneficial for early recovery in patients undergoing joint replacement.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Physical Therapy
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Total hip or knee replacement surgery often requires extensive rehabilitation to restore strength and function.
- Early mobilization and physiotherapy are crucial for optimal patient outcomes post-arthroplasty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of inpatient aquatic physiotherapy, as an adjunct to usual care, on strength, function, and gait speed recovery following hip or knee replacement.
- To compare the efficacy of aquatic physiotherapy with nonspecific water exercise and standard ward physiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted with 65 participants undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty.
- Participants received supplementary physiotherapy starting on postoperative day 4, allocated to aquatic physiotherapy, water exercise, or additional ward physiotherapy.
- Outcomes including strength, gait speed, and functional ability were measured at day 14, with blinded follow-up at 6 months.
Main Results:
- Aquatic physiotherapy led to significantly greater hip abductor strength at day 14 compared to additional ward physiotherapy (P=.001) and water exercise (P=.011).
- While not statistically significant, other outcome measures showed a trend favoring the aquatic physiotherapy group at day 14.
- No adverse events were reported with the early aquatic intervention.
Conclusions:
- Inpatient aquatic physiotherapy demonstrates a positive effect on the early recovery of hip strength post-joint replacement surgery.
- The findings suggest that aquatic physiotherapy can be safely integrated into the early postoperative phase for patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and explore long-term benefits.