title: Can Direct Current Electrotherapy Be Used for Patients With Orthopedic Implants?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although electrotherapy appears to have particularly interesting applications in the field of postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation, relatively little scientifically based research has been conducted in the area of electrotherapy with regard to safety involving patients with orthopedic implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three electrotherapy forms were tested, such as high-volt stimulation (HVS), transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), and galvanic current (GAL), using a model system containing a metal implant plate to evaluate whether heating in excess of 3°C would occur.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All changes in temperature for HVS, GAL, and TENS therapeutic electrical currents observed in our model system fall below the predefined 3°C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental based observation that prolonged exposure to a direct electrical current at therapeutic strength does not result in heating of metal titanium plates.
authors.affiliation: Division for Health and Socials Studies in Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Fresenius, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Evangeline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thaler
authors.affiliation: Division for Health and Socials Studies in Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Fresenius, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Felippe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.affiliation: Division for Health and Social Studies, University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Fresenius, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Korte
keywords: electrotherapy; iontophoresis; orthopedic implants; physiotherapy