Knee arthroplasty is a common surgical treatment for severe knee osteoarthritis, often leading to significant changes in gait mechanics and mobility. Post-operative rehabilitation is crucial for restoring function, yet traditional land-based exercises can pose challenges due to pain and limited range of motion. This study investigates the effect of aquatic exercises as an alternative rehabilitation modality on pain, range of motion and gait parameters in people after knee arthroplasty. 24 participants, aged 60-75, who underwent unilateral knee arthroplasty receiving standard land-based rehabilitation were randomly assigned to either an aquatic exercise group or a control group receiving standard land-based rehabilitation. Pain, knee joint range of motion and Gait parameters, including walking speed, stride length, and cadence, were assessed at baseline and after eight weeks. The aquatic exercise regimen consisted of low-impact resistance training, balance exercises, and aerobic activities performed in a heated pool. Results indicated that the aquatic exercise group experienced significantly greater improvements in all measured gait parameters compared to the control group (p=0.001). pain and range of motion significantly improved after 8 weeks (p=0.001) but this differences were not significant between groups (p 0.05). These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating aquatic exercises into post-operative rehabilitation protocols for knee arthroplasty patients. By facilitating improved gait mechanics aquatic therapy may serve as an effective adjunct to traditional rehabilitation approaches, ultimately enhancing functional outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects and optimal protocols for aquatic interventions in this population

کلمات کلیدی