Implementation of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Colorado, Denver

About this trial

Patients experience dramatic quadriceps strength loss after total knee replacement, which contributes to persistent weakness and reduced long-term function after surgery. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) reduces quadriceps weakness and improves patient function after knee replacement, but it is drastically underused in rehabilitation practice. This randomized trial will examine the effectiveness and feasibility of a comprehensive strategy for implementing neuromuscular electrical stimulation after knee replacement in two large healthcare organizations.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Underwent primary unilateral TKA

Attended outpatient rehabilitation at a participating clinic within 5 days after TKA

Attended at least 3 total outpatient physical therapy visits in total

Disqualifiers

NMES Contraindications [Patients with implanted cardiovascular cardiovertedefibrillator (ICD), active cancer, post-operative diagnosed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in involved lower extremity]

Previous lower extremity arthroplasty less than 12 weeks prior to scheduled TKA surgical date

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • NMES
  • Usual Care

Treatment groups

3,250 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Colorado, Denver

Lead sponsor

University of Colorado Health

Collaborator

Intermountain Health Care, Inc.

Collaborator

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator