The effectiveness of supplementing a standard rehabilitation program with super-imposed neuromuscular electrical stimulation, following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

10 Background: Rehabilitation interventions following surgical repair of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are key determinants affecting patient return to usual activity levels. Studies show that neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can counteract loss of strength in the quadriceps and is a beneficial enhancement to traditional forms of therapy. This study compared the effect of adding traditional NMES or garment-integrated NMES to a standard 15 post-surgery rehabilitation program. In both cases the NMES was superimposed on isometric voluntary contractions. Study Design: Prospective, randomised, controlled, single-blind study in patients undergoing rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods: Ninety-six patients who underwent surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate 20 ligament were randomly assigned to one of three post-surgery rehabilitation treatment groups. All patients followed a standard rehabilitation program of voluntary exercises. Additionally,