Less deep vein thrombosis due to transcutaneous fibular nerve stimulation in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

90 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty were randomly assigned to either a group that received thromboprophylactic transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or a control group that did not receive this therapy. The purpose of the study was to determine if TENS was an effective method of preventing venous thromboembolism. Ultrasonography of the lower limb was performed postoperatively on the first postoperative day, and D-dimer and soluble fibrin monomer complex (SFMC) marker levels in the blood were measured. The incidence of ultrasonography-detected deep vein thrombosis was significantly lower in the TENS group compared to the control group through the first day postoperatively. Blood levels of D-dimer and SFMC markers were also significantly lower in the TENS group compared to the control group immediately after surgery, though differences between groups on the first postoperative day were not statistically significant.