Recover from a knee injury
Anita Swan explains the fastest way to recover from a knee injury.
After a knee trauma or surgery, patients will experience soreness and weak muscles around the joint. It is essential to start following a specific knee-targeted therapeutic program to regain the range of motion of the knee joint and strengthen the muscles so you can get back on your feet as soon as possible. Hydrotherapy provides a weightless, impact-free environment in which to recover from knee trauma and surgery. The buoyancy allows movement without impact or further trauma to the healing joint.
What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is a form of therapy done in aquatic environments.
Other terms for hydrotherapy are:
- Water therapy
- Aqua therapy
- Aquatic therapy
- Aquatic rehabilitation
- Pool therapy
- Therapeutic aquatic exercise
This type of rehabilitation may be done in various aquatic settings, such as a heated therapy pool, a public swimming pool, or your pool at home.
What are the benefits of water therapy for knee injuries?
Doctors and Surgeons often recommend a hydrotherapy program for knee injury rehabilitation and as the patient's first postoperative step because of the risk-free therapeutic benefits. This rehabilitative program is for patients ready to regain the rotation in the knee and build muscle strength without pressure on the knee injury or the new knee joint. Water Therapy provides a weightless environment that makes it easy for patients to do gentle exercises that allow the muscles to engage and build without the added strain.
In a systematic review, warm water therapy was observed to significantly relieve pain in people with issues related to the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues. Warm water helps relax the muscles and increase blood circulation, reducing pain in the affected knee area.
It also reduces arthritic knee pain. In one study, people with knee osteoarthritis felt less pain and improved knee function after doing aquatic exercise for eight weeks.
Hydrotherapy activities are low-impact. Water serves as a medium that puts less stress on the joints. As a result, it allows people to adhere to and stay committed to a workout plan while they heal.
What is the fastest way to recover from a knee injury?
Water therapy on an AquaBike is one of the fastest ways to recover from a knee injury or surgery. Aqua biking or aqua cycling is like riding a bike, but it takes place in a pool. It is a therapeutic activity where a patient rides a Hydrorider or aquatic bike and pedals in water. Water's buoyancy reduces the pressure on the knee joints, while the circular motion of the motorcycle aids knee joint rotation and strengthens the other supporting structures, like the knees, legs, and hips.
How does an Aquabike help you recover from knee surgery?
Exercise and movement are essential in a knee surgery treatment plan to stabilise the knee joints and minimise further damage.
Low-impact exercises are ideal activities that are easy on the knee joints. Cycling is often recommended, but cycling in water is much better as it combines the benefits of cycling with the therapeutic elements of hydrotherapy. Water cycling is a weightless cycling environment that allows the patient to gain rotation without further trauma and impact on the joint, strengthening the knees.
The water's hydrostatic pressure supports the patient's balance and stability. It allows patients to perform exercises without the risk of falling. At the same time, it helps decrease pain and improve blood circulation.
The water's buoyancy relieves pressure around the injured knee. Water's buoyancy effect allows patients to perform exercises in the pool, which is a safer alternative to doing exercises on land. It will enable you to float and minimise gravity's impact on the injured or aching joints and muscles.
What are the Benefits of Aqua Biking for Knee Joints?
- No impact, so no risk of further trauma to the knee.
- Warm water relaxes the muscles, allowing healing, and increased blood flow and circulation.
- The structured AquaBike rotation stretches the relaxed muscles allowing an increased range of motion.
- Hydrostatic pressure increases with cycling speed, which reduces inflammation and swelling faster.
- Allows even strength to be developed in both legs, so no additional pressure is placed on the other knee joint or lean
- Builds strengths in the knee’s support structures, hips, and ankles.
- It allows a high-level cardio exertion without pressure on the knee, providing a safe way to reduce weight which helps take the pressure off the recovering knees.
What are the other benefits of an AquaBike?
- It is a fun and challenging workout.
- It allows you to burn up to 800 kcal in an hour.
- It strengthens cardiovascular endurance.
- It improves muscle strength and coordination.
- It tones the major muscle groups.
- It is kind to the joints and muscles.
- It is an excellent recovery workout.
- It reduces stress and improves sleep quality.
- It improves blood flow.
- It reduces cellulite.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- SWAN, A (2021) Recover from a knee injury [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article659.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Anita Swan is a professional freelance writer with many years of writing experience.