Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Immobilized Lower Extremities Directly Following Orthopaedic Surgery in Three Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Series

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive, neurological disorder often resulting in secondary musculoskeletal impairments affecting alignment and function which can result in orthopaedic surgery. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a modality that can be used for rehabilitation; however, NMES immediately following orthopaedic surgery in children with CP using surface electrodes has not been previously reported. The purpose of this case series is to describe the novel use of NMES in the acute rehabilitation phase directly after orthopaedic surgery. This case series included three children with spastic diplegia CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System level II who underwent Single Event Multi-Level orthopaedic Surgery. Each long leg cast contained window cast cut-outs to allow for surface electrode placement for daily NMES intervention to the quadriceps muscles while immobilized. Children were assessed pre- and post-operatively using the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66), and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). All children demonstrated no adverse effects using NMES intervention and had improvements in the 6MWT. Most children demonstrated gains in the FMS and GMFM-66. Use of NMES through window cast-cuts in a long leg cast is a novel practice approach for delivery of early rehabilitation following lower extremity orthopaedic surgery.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a novel approach of using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in acute rehabilitation phase following orthopaedic surgery in children with CP. Results show that children experienced improvements in walking ability and most children showed progress in functional mobility and gross motor function.