Knee joint function recovery applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation during physiotherapy and before physiotherapy procedure

After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction physical activity recovery lasts from 3 to 12 months. Seeking more rapid knee joint function recovery the effectiveness of two different methods are estimated in this research. The aim of the research is to compare the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied before and during physiotherapy procedure, as well as the effect of the knee joint function recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. After review of scholarly literature there were 3 tasks set to reach the aim of the research. The first task is to estimate the changes in the knee joint function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation before physiotherapy procedures. The second task is to estimate the changes in the knee joint function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation during physiotherapy procedures. The third task is to compare the changes in the knee joint function applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation during physiotherapy and before physiotherapy procedure. The methods of the research: 1. The amplitude of the knee joint movements is estimated by goniometry method. 2. The force of the calf flexor and extensor muscles is estimated by Medical Research Council scale. 3. The intensity of the pain is estimated by Numeric Rating Scale. 4. The knee joint function is assessed by Lysholm knee questionnaire. 5. The leg function after surgery is estimated by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. Conclusions: 1. If neuromuscular electrical stimulation is applied before physiotherapy procedures, the amplitude of the knee joint movements and muscle force increases, function of knee joint and lower extremity of the leg improves, pain intensity decreases for the patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (p<0,05). 2. If neuromuscular electrical stimulation is applied during physiotherapy procedures, the amplitude of the knee joint movements and muscle force increases, function of knee joint and lower extremity of the leg improves, pain intensity decreases for the patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (p<0,05). 3. After comparing both groups results, the change of the amplitude of the knee joint movements, muscle force, pain intensity and function of knee joint and lower extremity of the leg was larger applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation during physiotherapy procedures for the patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (p