Neuromuscular electrical stimulation after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

This randomized, double blind, controlled trial was designed to determine the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the knee extensor and flexor muscles in the prevention of muscular weakening after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation treatment was given in addition to an early exercise therapy regimen and compared with an early exercise therapy regimen alone. Forty-nine patients after anterior cruciate ligament surgery were assigned randomly either to a neuromuscular electrical stimulation and exercise group, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as analgesic and exercise group, or an exercise alone group as control. All groups received a standard regimen of rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group additionally received electrical stimulation during the first 6 weeks after surgery. Patients were measured for isometric and isokinetic torque in the knee extensor and flexor muscles after 6, 12, and 52 weeks. No statistical difference among groups was observed. It is concluded that neuromuscular electrical stimulation in combination with an early exercise therapy regimen is not significantly more effective in reducing weakening than an early exercise therapy regimen alone after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.