Effect of Surged Electrical Muscle Stimulator on Subjects with ACL Reconstruction

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopedic procedure, often followed by muscle atrophy and pain during the rehabilitation process. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of surge electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on muscle recovery, pain reduction, and functional outcomes in individuals post-ACL reconstruction. Methods: An experimental design was employed with 20 participants aged 18 to 50, who had undergone ACL reconstruction. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A received surge EMS in tandem with a structured rehabilitation protocol, while Group B underwent the rehabilitation protocol alone. EMS was administered for 20–30 minutes, three times per week for six weeks. Outcomes were assessed using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) for strength and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain levels at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. Results: Group A exhibited a significant increase in MMT scores from 2.33 ± 0.60 to 4.73 ± 0.44 (p < 0.001) and a reduction in NPRS scores from 8.73 ± 1.12 to 1.60 ± 1.08 (p < 0.001). In contrast, Group B showed improvements in MMT scores from 2.26 ± 0.77 to 3.47 ± 0.50 (p = 0.0002) and NPRS scores from 8.40 ± 1.08 to 4.13 ± 0.81 (p < 0.001). Although both groups demonstrated improvements, the enhancements in Group A were more pronounced. Conclusion: The findings indicate that surge EMS significantly enhances muscle strength and reduces pain in individuals undergoing ACL reconstruction when combined with a structured rehabilitation protocol. This study emphasizes the potential of integrating EMS into post-surgical rehabilitation to optimize recovery outcomes and facilitate a quicker return to activities. Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects and the precise application of EMS in this context.