Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1903326 Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 2010 5 Pages PDF
Abstract

The study evaluated the subjective functional outcome following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in participants who underwent hydrotherapy (HT) six months after discharge from a rehabilitation unit. A total of 70 subjects, 12 of which were lost at follow-up, were randomly assigned to either a conventional gym treatment (N = 30) or HT (N = 28). A prospective design was performed. Participants were interviewed with Western-Ontario McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC™) at admission, at discharge and six months later. Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon tests were applied for statistical analysis. Both groups improved. The WOMAC™ subscales, namely pain, stiffness and function, were all positively affected. Statistical analysis indicates that scores on all subscales were significantly lower for the HT group. The benefits gained by the time of discharge were still found after six months. HT is recommended after TKA in a geriatric population.

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