Effects of electrical and electromagnetic stimulation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

A need exists to develop new methods of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) that are both effective and relatively pain-free. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effects of both NMES and a new method of electromagnetic (NMES/PEMF) stimulation for reducing girth loss and for reducing pain and muscle weakness of the knee extensor muscles in patients during the first 6 weeks after reconstructive surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Seventeen patients receiving ACL reconstructive surgery participated as a control group (N = 3), as an NMES group (N = 7), and with combined NMES and magnetic field stimulation (NMES/PEMF) (N = 7). Patients receiving NMES/PEMF rated each type of stimulation for perceived pain and were measured for their torque. Torque results revealed a mean decrease of 13.1% for NMES/PEMF patients. The mean percent of thigh girth decreased 8.3% for controls, 0.5% for NMES, and 2.3% for NMES/PEMF patients. The NMES/PEMF patients rated NMES as causing about twice the pain intensity as NMES/PEMF during treatments. As a result of this data, the authors conclude that both NMES and NMES/PEMF are effective in reducing girth loss and that NMES/PEMF is less painful than NMES alone in treating patients after ACL reconstruction.