Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Enhanced Recovery After Total Hip Replacement Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using a novel neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device for enhanced recovery after total hip replacement surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing total hip replacement for osteoarthritis of the hip were randomized and divided into 2 groups: 1 group received postoperative treatment with the NMES device, and the other group did not receive NMES. The primary outcome measures were postoperative pain, lower limb swelling, and length of stay (LOS) postsurgery. Secondary outcomes included wound drainage at 24 hours and acceptability by the intervention of the device. RESULTS: Data from 60 participants were analyzed (NMES (n = 30), control group (n = 30)). Patients in the NMES group demonstrated a general trend of beneficial postoperative pain, calf swelling, and average length of stay from postoperative to discharge. However, wound drainage largely remained static for both groups. The overall comfort rate of the device was 93.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the geko(TM) NMES device is partly useful for enhanced recovery after total hip replacement surgery. In addition, the device should be considered tolerable and safe. A larger study is required with this device in the future to determine its effectiveness on compelling data.