title: A randomized controlled trial of electrostimulation effects on effussion, swelling and pain recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate rehabilitation results of electrostimulation especially on joint effusion, swelling and pain recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial; the assessor was not blinded to the group allocation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Orthopaedics-traumatology and physical medicine-rehabilitation departments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine consecutive patients underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both groups began the voluntary exercise protocol one day post-surgery. The intervention group (n = 15) also received 30 sessions electrostimulation treatment protocol started four days after the operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Numerical bulge-dancing patella signs for effusion assessment; differences in circumferences of the mid-centre of the patella between operated and non-operated knees for swelling assessment. A self-report of average daily resting pain assessed by visual analogue scale; Intenational Knee Documentation Committee scoring system and Tegner Activity Scale for subjective response assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six subjects including 13 patients from the intervention group completed the study. Significantly less effusion and swelling were determined in the intervention group after seven days (1.8 ± 1.3 versus 2.4 ± 1.7 for effusion and 1.7 ± 1.2 versus 3.4 ± 1.5 for swelling) to 12 weeks (0.2 ± 0.7 versus 0.6 ± 0.8 for effusion and 0.2 ± 0.8 versus 0.8 ± 0.9 for swelling) postoperative (P < 0.05). Patients treated with electrostimulation had significantly lower pain scores from seven days up to 12 weeks after the operation (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrostimulation along with exercise therapy appears superior to exercise alone regarding knee effusion, swelling and pain recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Still, there is need for further clinical studies using a radiologic method to demonstrate this effect of electrostimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey. leventediz@gmail.com
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ediz
authors.forename: Mehmet Fethi
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ceylan
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Turktas
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yanmis
authors.forename: Ozcan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hiz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010329:Patella / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004008:Diclofenac