Early neuromuscular electrical stimulation to improve quadriceps muscle strength after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

66 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to a standard rehabilitation protocol or the same rehabilitation protocol supplemented with quadriceps neuromuscular electrical stimulation to assess the program effects on muscle strength and function over a one year period. A significantly greater increase in both hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength was noted in the NMES group at 3.5 weeks. At final follow up, these differences were still apparent. Also, there were significant improvements in functional performance in the NMES group 1 year post-operation.