Why can’t you use an outdoor spa jacuzzi in the short term after a knee injury?

Nowadays, more and more people choose to use an outdoor spa jacuzzi to relax and relieve stress. However, although spas can bring comfort and relaxation, the use of spas may have adverse effects on some users with special physical conditions, especially those with knee injuries. Especially in the short term after a knee injury, many medical professionals do not recommend the use of spas for injured people.

This article will explore the reasons why it is not appropriate to use an outdoor spa jacuzzi in the short term after a knee injury, and provide relevant medical and health guidance.

Why can’t you use an outdoor spa jacuzzi after a knee injury?

The knee is one of the key parts of the human body that bears weight. It has a complex structure and diverse functions, and bears the pressure of daily activities such as walking, running, and jumping. Common types of knee injuries include ligament injuries, cartilage injuries, meniscus injuries, and knee arthritis. These injuries not only affect motor function, but may also cause long-term movement disorders in severe cases. Therefore, the recovery process after a knee injury needs to be very cautious. Any improper treatment or care measures may delay the recovery process or aggravate the injury.

The effects and risks of hydrotherapy and heat therapy

The hydrotherapy bathtub provides a relaxing effect through warm water and massage jets. Its advantages are that it can promote blood circulation, relieve muscle soreness and relax tense muscles. However, for patients with knee injuries, hot water and massage effects may not be an ideal treatment in the short term.

● Heat therapy may aggravate inflammation: In the early stages after a knee injury, especially within 24 to 48 hours after the injury, the injured area often has obvious inflammatory reactions, manifested as swelling, redness and pain. Hot water will dilate blood vessels and promote blood circulation. Although it can relieve muscle tension under certain circumstances, heat therapy may aggravate local inflammation when the inflammatory reaction has not subsided, causing increased swelling and further delaying recovery.

● Excessive local temperature leads to increased pain: For a newly injured knee, especially when there are injuries such as tears, abrasions or contusions in the joint, excessively high water temperatures may stimulate the nerve endings in the injured area, causing increased pain and affecting the recovery and healing of the wound.

Massage function may cause additional pressure on injured knees

Although the massage function of a hydrotherapy massage bathtub can help relieve muscle fatigue and promote blood circulation, strong massage may not be suitable for patients with knee injuries. Especially when the soft tissues and ligaments around the knee are damaged, excessive massage may cause local mechanical pulling or pressure, further aggravating the injury.

● Increase the burden on the knee joint: Even the gentle stimulation of the massage water flow may put unnecessary pressure on the injured knee joint. Especially when the knee has been injured and the soft tissue has not yet fully healed, massage will affect the muscles, ligaments and joint capsules around the joint, causing discomfort or pain, affecting the recovery process.

● Affect the range of motion of the knee: After a knee injury, it is usually accompanied by limited or stiff joint movement. Excessive massage may aggravate the limited range of motion of the joint, making recovery more difficult.

What effect does temperature have on inflammation after a knee injury?

The initial treatment after a knee injury usually emphasizes reducing the inflammatory response, preventing swelling and further tissue damage. At this stage, ice compress is the most recommended first aid measure. Ice compress can effectively constrict blood vessels and slow blood flow, thereby reducing swelling and inflammation and promoting wound healing. The hot water in a hydrotherapy bathtub is contrary to the treatment principles after a knee injury and is not suitable for use in the short term.

Hot water aggravates edema

The water temperature in a hydrotherapy bathtub is usually maintained between 38°C and 40°C. This temperature is suitable for relaxing muscles and relieving joint pressure, but it may aggravate edema after a knee injury. Since hot water causes blood vessels to dilate and blood flow to accelerate, fluid accumulation in the injured area is more obvious, resulting in increased swelling. Especially for patients with obvious joint swelling, using hot water will further aggravate edema and delay recovery.

Adverse effects on soft tissue healing

Soft tissue injuries of the knee (such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage, etc.) require proper rest and reduced pressure to promote healing. In the early stages, hot water baths may bring unnecessary thermal stimulation, which in turn affects the healing process of soft tissues. Using a hydrotherapy bathtub too early may further intensify local inflammation of the soft tissue, which is not conducive to tissue repair.

After a knee injury: When is the best time to use massage spa?

Although it is not recommended to use a hydrotherapy bathtub in the short term after a knee injury, over time, after entering the recovery period, a hydrotherapy bathtub can gradually become a beneficial auxiliary treatment tool. However, the timing and frequency of using a spa must be determined based on your doctor's advice and your personal recovery progress.

Acute phase (within 48 hours of injury)

The acute phase is the initial stage after a knee injury, when the most important things to do are to control swelling, reduce pain, and avoid further injury. Ice, rest, and elevation are the most effective treatments during this phase. Hot water and spa massage baths may increase edema and inflammation, making recovery more difficult. Therefore, spas should be avoided during the acute phase.

Subacute phase (48 hours to 1 week after injury)

During this phase, the inflammatory response begins to subside, swelling gradually eases, and the range of motion of the knee is restored. Although light activities and rehabilitation training can be started at this time, the warmth and massage effects of the spa may still cause excessive irritation to the knee because the soft tissue around the knee has not yet fully recovered, so it is recommended to continue to avoid using it.

Recovery phase (more than 1 week after injury)

Once the inflammation of the knee has significantly subsided and the range of motion of the joint can be gradually restored during the recovery process, you can start using a spa appropriately. At this time, the hot water and massage function of the spa bathtub can help relax muscles, relieve tension caused by excessive activity, promote blood circulation, and accelerate the recovery process. However, when using a spa bathtub, you still need to pay attention to the control of water temperature and avoid excessive massage to avoid putting extra pressure on the knee joint.

Care recommendations after knee injury and alternative treatments for spa bathtubs

During the rehabilitation process after knee injury, in addition to avoiding the use of spa bathtubs in the acute and subacute stages, other alternative treatments can also be considered to help relieve pain, promote healing, and provide better recovery support for the knee.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is an important part of knee rehabilitation. In the case of knee injuries, physical therapists can help restore the motor function and strength of the knee, reduce pain, and accelerate the healing process through a series of professional rehabilitation training, traction, exercise therapy, etc. Physical therapy does not only rely on spa massage bathtubs, but also includes other treatment methods, such as ultrasound therapy, electrotherapy, etc.

Ice therapy

In the acute stage of knee injury, ice is the most effective way to relieve swelling and pain. Ice can effectively constrict blood vessels and slow blood flow, thereby reducing inflammatory responses. Applying an ice pack to the knee for 20 minutes every few hours, usually within 24 to 48 hours after the injury, can significantly reduce swelling and pain.

Compression Stockings and Knee Sleeves

Compression stockings or knee sleeves can effectively support the knee while it recovers, reduce irritation from external pressure on the knee, and help promote local blood circulation. These auxiliary devices can continue to provide necessary support for the knee when the spa is not in use.

Discover why businesses worldwide trust Lovia Spa as their leading spa supplier. Our portfolio includes CE-certified swim spas, luxurious wooden tubs, and cutting-edge heat pumps, all built for exceptional performance. With flexible customization and competitive factory pricing, we empower you to succeed in today’s competitive markets. Explore our exclusive promotions today.