@article{ATM30760,
author = {Ronald Delanois and Nipun Sodhi and Alexander Acuna and Kimberly Doll and Michael A. Mont and Anil Bhave},
title = {Use of home neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the first 6 weeks improves function and reduces pain after primary total knee arthroplasty: a matched comparison},
journal = {Annals of Translational Medicine},
volume = {7},
number = {Suppl 7},
year = {2019},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Background: The use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been demonstrated to facilitate quadriceps muscle recovery and to reduce pain. However, to our knowledge, this therapeutic modality has not been directly tested in patients who receive muscle stimulators for home use immediately after surgery. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of NMES use at home in addition to standard therapy program in patients after primary TKA surgery, and to compare the early functional results to a matching group of post TKA patients who did not receive home NMES units.
Methods: A total of 41 patients scheduled for a primary TKA during April 1st, 2017 to January 31st, 2018 were identified as being eligible for the study. There were 15 patients deemed ineligible to be part of the study, resulting in 26 patients who were fitted either 1 week before or within 1 week of surgery a home NMES device. The device was controlled by a smart phone. Patients were asked to use the NMES device daily for 20 minutes, 3 times a day, for 6 weeks after surgery. As their ability to activate their quadriceps muscle improved, patients were encouraged to increase their exercise regimens. The NMES patients were compared to a matched cohort of 26 patients who had a TKA performed between June 1st, 2015 and July 31st, 2016, but did not receive home an NMES device. Comparative outcomes included: timed up and go (TUG) test, single limb stance (SLS) time, time to ascend and descend one flight of stairs, quadriceps lag, active and passive range of motion (ROM), 2-minute walking distance, and pain rating on a visual analog scale (VAS). A P value of 0.05 was set as the threshold for statistical significance for the matched comparison.
Results: Patients in the home NMES had significantly better scores for quadriceps lag (P},
issn = {2305-5847}, url = {https://atm.amegroups.org/article/view/30760}
}