Early neuromuscular electrical stimulation to improve quadriceps muscle strength after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The recovery of quadriceps muscle force and function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is suboptimal, which predisposes patients to disability with increasing age.

Objective

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of quadriceps muscle neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), initiated 48 hours after TKA, as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation.

Design

This was a prospective, longitudinal randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Sixty-six patients, aged 50 to 85 years and planning a primary unilateral TKA, were randomly assigned to receive either standard rehabilitation (control) or standard rehabilitation plus NMES applied to the quadriceps muscle (initiated 48 hours after surgery). The NMES was applied twice per day at the

SUBMITTER: Stevens-Lapsley JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3269772 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature