Article

OBJECTIVES: To examine responses to repeated neuromuscular electrical stimulation
of the quadriceps femoris muscle in male and female subjects after total knee
arthroplasty. DESIGN: Sixty-four subjects who underwent total knee arthroplasty
were treated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation two to three times a week
for 6 wks in addition to an exercise program. Measures of the quadriceps femoris
muscle's maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), maximal electrically
induced contractions, and current intensity, in response to ten electrically
induced contractions per session over 15 treatment sessions, were monitored with
an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: Mean (SD) of maximal electrically induced
contractions expressed as percentage of MVIC (%MVIC) was 44.5% (18.2%). Forces of
MVIC and maximal electrically induced contractions were significantly stronger in
the male subjects. However, there were no gender differences in %MVIC. All force
measures increased significantly across time. Male subjects tolerated higher
current intensities, with both sexes showing a similar pattern of habituation to
current intensity. CONCLUSIONS: After total knee arthroplasty, most elderly
subjects can tolerate neuromuscular electrical stimulation at current intensities
sufficient to elicit quadriceps femoris muscle contractions within the therapeutic range recommended for muscle strengthening. Although male subjects
can tolerate stronger current intensities, similar %MVIC is activated in female
and male subjects with impaired muscle function, indicating a similar potential
for treatment effectiveness.

Langue : ANGLAIS