HYDROTHERAPY AND PAIN MANAGEMENT IN EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

The use of water for medical treatment is very old tradition and hydrotherapy treatments were very popular until the middle of the last century. However, no modern treatment is fully effective neither in relieving pain, nor in curing much affection, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to evaluate a cohort of patients with RA in order to determinate the possible association between hydrotherapy and RA. One hundred and eighty eight patients who presented polyarticular pain which was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), morning stiffness over 1 h/day, and the average functional impotence were determined. All these patients effectuated physical therapy (PT) and hydrokinetotherapy (HKT) with the aim of muscle tonification, the rising of articular amplitude, restoring stability, the equilibrium and dynamic control for walking and maintaining the good joints functionality. The 1st group consisted of 110 patients with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ERS) <20 div/h and had completed 3 sessions/week of PT at gym. The 2nd group consisted of 78 patients with ESR > 40 div/h and had completed 3 sessions/week of BKT with Techirghiol salt water having temperature of 33 degrees C. After 12 months of follow up, it was seen a reduction of the VAS, morning stiffness (<30 min), easy functional impotence with the rise of articular mobility for both groups. Furthermore, the ESR Was seen to be decreased at <20 div/h for the 2nd group in respect with the 1st group. Our results suggest that BKT with Techirghiol salt water have improved the algo-functional status of the patients. The effects of the hydrotherapy could represent a useful palliative treatment in rheumatoid diseases.