Role of Aquatic Therapy in Knee Rehabilitation: A Narrative review

Abstract

Background: Knee pain is a prevalent issue affecting adolescents and adults, with various causes ranging from
acute injuries to chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. The knee is particularly susceptible to injury, especially
among athletes. Aquatic therapy has gained attention as a promising approach to knee rehabilitation because of
its unique properties, including buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and viscosity, which can aid in reducing pain
and enhancing recovery. This narrative review explores the effectiveness of aquatic therapy in knee rehabilitation
across different knee conditions and presents findings from several studies conducted between 2006 and 2022.
Methodology: A comprehensive search strategy was implemented using keywords in Google Scholar and
PubMed. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and pilot studies conducted
between 2006 and 2022, published in English. Inclusion criteria encompassed original research with outcomes
related to knee rehabilitation and aquatic therapy, while articles that did not focus on knee rehabilitation and
aquatic therapy or were published prior to 2006 were excluded.
Results: Several studies were reviewed to assess the effectiveness of aquatic therapy in knee rehabilitation for
different conditions. A total of 7 articles were selected that said the effectiveness of aquatic therapy in knee
rehabilitation.
Conclusion: In this review, aquatic therapy is effective in all knee conditions