Background: Researchers studied efficacy of quadriceps muscle EMS 48 hours after total knee surgery, as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation
Method: Sixty-six patients between ages of 50 and 85 were randomly assigned standard rehabilitation (control group) or standard rehabilitation plus EMS applied to quadricep muscles (initiated 48 hours after surgery). EMS was applied twice per day for 15 contractions
Finding: At 3.5 weeks after surgery, significant improvements with EMS were found for quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength, functional performance, and knee extension active range of motion.
Conclusion: EMS effectively attenuated loss of quadriceps muscle strength and improved functional performance.
Research Paper: Stevens-Lapsley, Jennifer E. (February 2012) “Early Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Improve Quadriceps Muscle Strength After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association. pp. 210-226
