Indirect Electroimpulse Myostimulation and Its Role in Treatment of Patients with Shin Bone Fractures

Abstract

Prospective randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of electric muscle stimulation (EMS) of calf muscles in prevention of venous thromboembolic complications (VTEC), shortening of treatment and rehabilitation terms in patients with shin bones fractures was performed. The study included 60 patients, aged 19-67 years, with isolated shin bones fractures. All patients were admitted at early (from 0.5 to 3 hours) terms after injury. For final fixation either intramedullary or plate osteosynthesis were used. All patients were on anticoagulant therapy for VTEC prevention. In the study group ( n =30) 2 séances of EMS, 3 hours each, were performed daily from the first day of hospitalization. In 30 patients from the control group EMS was not performed. It was shown that application of EMS ensured the shortening of treatment and rehabilitation terms, better quality of life and enabled to avoid VTEC development. Achieved preliminary data are indicative of the expediency of EMS application in traumatologic patients at early hospital stage.