The Use of NMES as a Home-based Therapy Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

The Use of NMES as a Home-based Therapy Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

The use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as a home-based therapy following total knee arthroplasty. Measures of interest: lower limb venous hemodynamics, joint range of motion, lower limb swelling, walking speed, quality of life, activities of daily living, device usability, device compliance, activity levels, and pain (VAS).

The use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as a home-based therapy following total knee arthroplasty. All participants receive and use a research stimulator for approximately 5 weeks following total knee arthroplasty. Participants randomised to either a stimulation group or placebo-controlled group. Stimulation of the soleus muscle to investigate the effects on lower limb venous hemodynamics, joint range of motion, lower limb swelling, walking speed, quality of life, activities of daily living, device usability, device compliance, activity levels, and pain (VAS) in both groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any patient undergoing knee arthroplasty in the Galway Clinic with an ability to understand the nature of the study
• Ability to give informed consent
• Not excluded based on exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of symptomatic heart disease or severe arterial disease
• pregnancy
• presence of a pacemaker
• history of neurological disorder
• presence of cognitive difficulties which may prevent the patient or his/her carer from using the stimulator properly