Utility of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Preserve Quadriceps Muscle Fiber Size and Contractility After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Reconstruction: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Blinded Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and reconstruction (ACLR) promote quadriceps muscle atrophy and weakness that can persist for years, suggesting the need for more effective rehabilitation programs. Whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be used to prevent maladaptations in skeletal muscle size and function is unclear.

Purpose

To examine whether early NMES use, started soon after an injury and maintained through 3 weeks after surgery, can preserve quadriceps muscle size and contractile function at the cellular (ie, fiber) level in the injured versus noninjured leg of patients undergoing ACLR.

Study design

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

Patients (n = 25; 12 men/13 women) with an acute, first-time AC

SUBMITTER: Toth MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7775613 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature