Knee injuries, especially related to sports, are often considered to be an epidemic within America. Many athletes will experience sprains, tendonitis, and ligament tears related to the knee. The elderly are prone to osteoarthritis within the knee, which has potential to severely limit mobility and activity. There are many variations of injury the knee can sustain; due to this, the treatment for knee injuries will vary as well.
Physical therapy is used by many individuals throughout America. Though, many exercises utilized by physical therapists can be used to help decrease the risk of injury, in many cases, physical therapy is performed following an injury. Often times, after a patient undergoes a serious surgery, they will be advised to participate in physical therapy in order to help their bodies repair and rebuild to a healthy state.
Within physical therapy, there are many methods, treatments, or exercises that may be practiced. A common method used in rehabilitation is known as aquatic therapy or hydrotherapy. Aquatic therapy involves activities performed within a specially designed hydrotherapy pool. These pools differ from most ordinary pools due to their temperature, turbulence, and hardware. In general, the pools are heated to 95F to promote circulation throughout the body and allow the muscles to relax. The pools may also be equipped with motors to allow for current to flow in one direction. Patients may swim or walk against the current as an exercise. Some hydrotherapy pools even contain underwater treadmills.
The benefits of performing exercises within the pool can vary. In general, the hydrostatic pressure and the temperature provide an environment that can increase blood flow within the patient. Also, given water’s buoyancy, it can allow patients to exercise with minimal impact. The decreased net force from gravity can result in reduced stress on the joints, allowing individuals with mobility issues to gradually increase weight on their joints. In addition, the water provides a resistance that can be beneficial in building critical stabilizer muscles. These low impact exercises with moderate resistance can be constructive for those who have temporarily lost mobility and are trying to recover.
Aquatic therapy is not used to treat every knee injury, although, it may prove beneficial for many. However, physical therapists and state of the art facilities can be an expensive treatment option for some, even those with insurance. If you are suffering from a knee injury caused by a negligent individual, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. Depending on certain aspects of your case, the lawyer may be able to negotiate a settlement to include compensation for your therapy. Contact physical therapy Gaithersburg, MD if you have any other questions regarding physical therapy.
Thank you to Pain Arthritis Relief Center for providing insight on physical therapy.