Different Modalities of Aquatic Physiotherapy in Patients With Knee Osteoarthrosis

Effects of Different Modalities of Aquatic Physiotherapy on Biomechanical and Functional Behavior of Subjects With Knee Osteoarthrosis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of different modalities of aquatic physiotherapy on the biochemical and functional behavior of patients with knee's Osteoarthritis.

The subjects will be informed about the study and its potentials risks and sign the informed consent. The sample will be submitted to three different modalities of AF interventions: (a) low impact immersion, (b) conventional aquatic physiotherapy and (c) high intensity aquatic physiotherapy. The functional variables of flexibility, pain, joint volume will be evaluated before and immediately after each intervention whereas the biochemical variables will be evaluated from the analysis of peripheral blood following times: baseline moment (immediately before the intervention), moment 1 (immediately after the intervention), and moment 2 (24 hours after the intervention).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients over 50 years old and diagnosed with OA in at least one knee
• Presence of pain and at least one functional dysfunction for at least 6 months
• Absence of physical limitation that prevents the exercise protocol from being performed
• Kellgren and Lawrence ranking between I and IV
• walk independently and without auxiliary device

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inflammatory, rheumatic or autoimmune conditions
• Use of psychotropic, immunosuppressive and steroid medications
• Antioxidant consumption
• Alcohol and tobacco consumption
• Progressive ankylosis states
• neurological injuries
• Infections or skin diseases that contraindicate swimming pool immersion
• Surgical procedures on the knee joint in the last 12 months (excluding meniscectomy or arthroscopy)
• Lower Limb Joint Prosthesis
• Presence of inflammatory or infectious diseases, uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and history of ischemic heart disease
• Self-report of aquatic phobia and chlorine allergies