Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) devices have been around for some time and used on everyone from professional athletes to your hometown high school’s leading scorers. These discreet, portable devices are meant to rehabilitate muscles following injury, or enhance muscle performance, via tiny electrical impulses transmitted directly through the skin. Electrical stimulation has been shown to improve muscle contraction and increase blood flow.
At Texas Orthopedics, we often recommend electrical stimulation to reactivate the quadriceps muscles after ACL repair surgery. Sometimes it is also helpful for rehabilitation of the neck or shoulder muscles as well. Benefits of electrical muscle stimulation include:
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Faster recovery times when coupled with a regular physical rehabilitation program
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Decreased muscle atrophy frequently accompanying a serious injury, or after surgery
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Less muscle pain and soreness leading to improved mobility and range of motion
While it may be tempting to purchase and administer use of one of these popular devices on your own, it is best to consult with your board-certified orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist before doing so. If the electrical currents are not carefully monitored, further tissue damage can easily occur…unfortunately setting back your recovery time that you initially sought to speed up.
If you have questions about whether an electrical stimulation device is right for you, please contact us for an appointment.
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