Our Group organises 3000+ Global Conferenceseries Events every year across USA, Europe & Asia with support from 1000 more scientific Societies and Publishes 700+ Open Access Journals which contains over 50000 eminent personalities, reputed scientists as editorial board members.
Report on a case series investigating a neurostimulation device for the treatment of pain and improvement of mobility and function following elbow surgery
International Conference and Expo on Novel Physiotherapies
Background: A group of 7 patients received neurostimulation (Stimpod) post tennis or golfer��?s elbow surgery as their sole treatment
to relieve acute postoperative pain and improve mobility and function. Patients undergoing the above-mentioned surgery have had
chronic pain with and without neuropathic symptoms for a prolonged period. There is usually severe injury with active inflammatory
processes due to the surgery. It was thought that treating these patients aggressively early post-operatively mayexpedite pain relief
and the healing process.
Method: After their surgery, 7 patients were given neurostimulation for 3 treatments of 20 minutes each on the brachial plexus during
the ten days before the splint was removed. This was followed by 6 treatments, twice weekly of 20 minutes each after the splint was
removed. At each of these treatments 5 mins stimulation were administered to four areas: The nerve supply 1) superior and 2) inferior
to the elbow and 3, 4) on either end of the wound. Patients were evaluated for pain with the visual analogue scale, movements of
flexion and extension measured with a goniometer, strength and flexibility with a 12-movement activity scale, status of the wound
and satisfaction with treatment, mobility and function. These measures were re-evaluated telephonically at one, three and six months
after the last treatment.
Results: Significant pain relief was achieved by all of the seven patients before the splint was removed at the 4th treatment. Pain relief,
range of movement and function was greatly improved at the final (9th) treatment by 6 of the 7 patients and this was maintained with
nearly full improvement of the above parameters for most of the participants at one month after the last treatment. Two patients had
to have re-operation due to requiring more extensive surgery in the one patient and falling and injuring the original surgical site in
the other patient. At three and six months after the last treatment full improvement in all the parameters above was maintained in the
remaining five patients who also had excellent wound healing and satisfaction with their treatment, mobility and function.
Conclusion: It appears the neurostimulation (Stimpod) has the capacity to improve acute post-surgical pain and reduce pain, improve
mobility, function and stimulate wound healing once the splint was removed. This treatment is relatively cost effective, is non-invasive
and of short duration. Positive effects were all maintained at six months.