Effectiveness of pre-surgical neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the recovery time of diaphyseal femoral fractures

Abstract

Quadriceps pathology is common in patients who have suffered diaphyseal femoral fractures (DFF) due to the long waiting times before surgery, during which they remain immobilized. Aims: to evaluate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied in the pre-surgical period upon the recovery time (RT) of the patients. Methods: Prior to surgical treatment, patients with closed DFF were systematically distributed alternatively into: group with pre-surgical NMES (n=22) and control group with conventional physiokinetic treatment (n=25). Findings: Age, gender proportions and time between admission and surgery were similar in both groups. Average treatment time was 14.14±9.7 days. RT (from surgery to medical discharge) was 111±15.65 days in treated patients and 139.36±23.05 in controls (P <0.0001). No differences were found between men and women nor between the fractured femur (right vs. left). Conclusion: Present results highlight the value of NMES in the pre-surgical period for patients with DFF, optimizing their rehabilitation and facilitating their social/work reinsertion.