Neuromuscular electrical stimulation & Anterior cruciate ligament

Among the available tools to optimize recovery, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has emerged as an effective complementary method. In this article, we explore how NMES can support post-surgical ACL rehabilitation and help achieve better outcomes for your patients.

What can NMES do?

NMES involves applying electrical impulses to muscles to induce involuntary contractions. This technique can:

• Stimulate weakened muscles during and after surgery
• Reduce muscle atrophy by maintaining regular contractions
• Improve neuromuscular coordination by strengthening the connection between the nervous system and the muscles
• Decrease pain through the integrated TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

In the context of post-ACL rehabilitation, NMES complements traditional exercises by facilitating the recovery of effective muscle contractions—particularly in the quadriceps, a key muscle for knee stability.

NMES Benefits for Post-ACL Rehabilitation

Prevention of Muscle Atrophy

Clinical Impact: NMES helps maintain muscle activity during the early postoperative phases, thereby limiting muscle mass loss caused by immobilization or pain. This supports a faster and more effective rehabilitation process. NMES can also be beneficial in a preoperative approach for less active patients, helping to prepare the muscles and manage pain before surgery.

Improvement in Muscle Strength

Clinical Impact: Adding NMES to traditional exercise programs allows for targeted stimulation of muscle fibers, promoting faster and more effective strength gains. Studies have shown that this combined approach leads to quicker progress compared to protocols without electrical stimulation.

Accelerated Functional Recovery

Results from a study conducted on young athletes following ACL surgery show significant progress at various postoperative stages: