Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Quadriceps Muscle Strengthening Following Reconstructive Surgery of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of both electrical stimulation and isometric exercise with that of isometric exercise alone on the quadriceps muscle in 30 patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The 30 patients were divided into two groups. The electrical stimulation (ES) group (N=18) carried out isometric contraction with ES. The non-ES group (N=12) performed isometric contraction only. The patients were examined clinically in terms of thigh circumference and time from surgery to disappearance of extension lag and giving way. The ES group had better muscle function within these clinical parameters. This study indicated that ES is a useful technique for muscle strengthening after ACL reconstruction.
