Abstract
Background
Awareness of the value of aquatic exercise (AE) in the postoperative rehabilitation
has increased, and several inherent advantages of AE, such as adjustment of both resistance
and muscle strengthening parameters makes good rationale for its inclusion in postoperative
rehabilitation. This study aimed to determine and compare the benefits of AE and land-based
exercise (LBE) on pain, functionality, and quality of life after arthroscopic partial
meniscectomy (APM).
Methods
This randomized controlled study included 30 middle-aged (35–50), physically active
patients who were randomized into LBE (n = 15) and AE (n = 15) groups after APM for
a degenerative meniscal tear. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36),
single-leg hop test and Lysholm questionnaire scores in addition to isokinetic muscle
strength values were evaluated at baseline, at fourth week immediately after cessation
of exercise program and at eighth week follow-up visits. The exercise sessions were
conducted in 1-h sessions per day, three days a week for a total of four weeks.
Results
Significant improvement was observed in the VAS, single-leg hop test, Lysholm questionnaire,
and most of SF-36 subscale scores in both groups at both fourth and eighth follow-ups.
Isokinetic dynamometer revealed significant improvement in the peak torque values
for extension at angular velocities of 60° and 180° at both follow-ups in the AE group.
LBE group showed significant improvement in the peak torque value for extension only
at an angular velocity of 60° only at fourth week follow-up. There was no significant
difference between groups for any of these parameters at any of the follow-ups.
Conclusion
Both AE and LBE programs had significantly improved pain, function, isokinetic muscle
strength, and quality of life in patients after APM. Either type of exercise is essential
as part of the rehabilitation protocol for good clinical outcomes after APM and should
not be neglected (level II).
ClinicalTrials registration number
NCT04925726.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 16, 2021
Accepted:
November 21,
2021
Received in revised form:
November 12,
2021
Received:
June 30,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
