Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis, affecting over 30 million people in the United states alone [1]. OA affects both men and women is listed as one of the most frequent causes of physical disability in the older adult population [2]. The joint pain experienced by patients with OA often results in decreased mobility and function which contributes to the weight gain, joint swelling, muscle weakness, and depression often observed in this population [3]. As a physical therapist (PT) and an occupational therapist (OT), we have both been exposed to many interventions supported in the literature to reduce pain and improve mobility in individuals with OA, including pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and surgical interventions [4].

This paper discusses the use of aquatic exercise as an option to improve mobility and reduce pain for people with OA. OT and PT both fall within the non-pharmacological intervention category. According to Woods et al., the only non-pharmacological interventions offered by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) for knee OA are the use of appliances like braces and insoles, and appropriate footwear, although these researchers found transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TNS) to be an effective option. Aquatic exercise was not mentioned, and yet, this is a good alternative to pharmacological measures in the reduction of pain from OA.

Keywords: Aquatic exercise; Arthritis; Osteoarthritis