Study Design: A case series.

Objectives: The purpose of this case series was to assess the effect of high-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on quadriceps strength and voluntary activation following total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Background: Following TKA, patients exhibit long-term weakness of the quadriceps and diminished functional capacity compared to age-matched healthy controls. The pain and swelling that results from surgery may contribute to quadriceps weakness. The use of high-intensity NMES has previously been shown to be effective in quickly restoring quadriceps strength in patients with weakness after surgery.

Methods And Measures: All patients were treated for 6 weeks, 2 to 3 visits per week, in outpatient rehabilitation. Five patients (NMES group) participated in a voluntary exercise program for both knees and NMES for the weaker knee. Three patients (exercise group) participated in a voluntary exercise program for both knees without NMES. For each treatment session, 10 isometric electrically elicited muscle contractions were administered at maximally tolerated doses to the initially weaker leg of the NMES group. Quadriceps strength and muscle activation were repeatedly assessed up to 6 months after surgery using burst superimposition techniques.

Results: At 6 months, the weak NMES-treated legs of 4 of 5 patients in the NMES group had surpassed the strength of the contralateral leg. In contrast, none of the weak legs in the exercise group were stronger than the contralateral leg at 6 months. Changes in quadriceps muscle activation mirrored the changes exhibited in strength.

Conclusion: When NMES was added to a voluntary exercise program, deficits in quadriceps muscle strength and activation resolved quickly after TKA.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2004.34.1.21DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

quadriceps muscle
12
quadriceps strength
12
nmes group
12
voluntary exercise
12
exercise program
12
neuromuscular electrical
8
electrical stimulation
8
quadriceps
8
total knee
8
knee arthroplasty
8

Similar Publications

Introduction: Chondromalacia patella (CMP) is characterized by cartilage degeneration, affects young adults, more women (2:1) and is responsible for 75% of knee pain complaints in the active population. The etiology is multifactorial and may be related to extrinsic factors (trauma and burden) and intrinsic factors (patellar malalignment and quadriceps weakness). Isokinetic dynamometry (ID) can aid in the detection of the causal factors of knee pain related to CMP.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Ankle sprains often result in muscle atrophy and reduced range of motion, which can cause long-term ankle instabilities. Understanding the changes to muscle-such as atrophy-and concomitant changes to deep fascia-which may thicken alongside muscle loss-after ankle sprain injury is important to understanding structural changes about the joint and how they might contribute to longer-term impairments. Here, we employ advanced MRI to investigate skeletal muscle and fascial structural changes during the recovery period of one patient undergoing immobilization after ankle sprains.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: People living with dementia (PWD) have upregulated inflammatory pathways, exaggerated metabolic aging, and cellular aging. They also have declines in physical function and heightened fall-risk. Understanding the physiologic factors that influence physical decline and fall-risk in PWD is vital to assess and prevent adverse health outcomes, such as future falls.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Functional tests are used to establish the functional capacity of women with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). However, the validity, reliability, or possibility of discriminating this dysfunction have not been established.

Objectives: To compare functional capacity, establish the properties of functional test measurements, and present the best test to discriminate between women with and without GTPS.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a potentially effective intervention to improve outcomes after a fragility fracture, but its feasibility in this group has not been established.

Methods: A feasibility study was conducted in two phases: 1) in the hospital only, and 2) hospital, rehabilitation centres, and participants' homes. Patients with fragility fracture were randomised to receive NMES for 6 weeks/discharge either to the right or left leg, with the other leg serving as control.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!