Electrical Muscle Stimulation Treatment for Scar Tissue on the Knee
Electrical muscle stimulation treatment is a non-invasive and non-addictive form of treatment that effectively inhibits pain. Through electrical stimulation, it turns off the pain signals to allow the body to relax and better heal itself. The application of electrical signals on the body's trigger points or tender spots was found to cause gentle palpation which promotes healing.
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Treating Knee Injuries
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Injuries or instances of re-injury causes scar tissue. With knee injuries, the severity of the injury or re-injury delays the healing process and increase the scar tissue buildup on the knee muscles and tendons. Since the scar tissue is characteristically hard and inflexible, it might compromise the range of motion of the affected knee. In addition, scar tissue is one of the common causes of lifelong nuisances such as chronic pain and arthritis. The promising benefits of electrical muscle stimulation treatment can prevent the scar tissue from causing a lifetime plague.
Treatment Background
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The benefits of electro-stimulating body tissues have been discovered in an encounter with a torpedo fish (400BC). Taken live from freshwater, a 100 to 150 volt torpedo fish has long been used in relieving and controlling pain. In the modern practice of electrical stimulation, the current is now delivered through the skin to excite the cells and stimulate their rehabilitative functions particularly on injured or diseased muscles and soft tissues.
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How it Works
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The treatment uses electricity to promote muscle contractions and sensory stimulation. Muscles and nerves have excitable tissues. However, this property depends on the permeability of the nerve and muscle cells since the cell membrane is responsible in regulating the interchange of substances from inside and outside the cell. This cellular property is actually voltage-sensitive. In applying a particular voltage of electricity on a specified area, the charge causes an unequal distribution of charged ions from inside and outside the cell. In manipulating the fluid exchange among cells, the body finds a way to jumpstart the affected nerve and muscle cells' healing process which is hindered by scar tissue buildup. Later on, the reproduction and migration of epithelial cells will occur. This will result to smoother and thinner scar tissue. The continued application of electrical stimulation on the knee scar tissue, approximately 20 to 40 hours a week, will bring significant lightening and thinning effects on the scar tissues.
What to Expect
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During the treatment session, the affected area will be soaked in a saline solution to remove excess liquid. An alternative would be the application of amorphous hydrogel impregnated gauze to enable the area to effectively conduct current under the electrodes. The electrode will be placed over the gauze packing and over the soft tissues. After the electric stimulation is complete, the doctor usually advises the patient to leave the wound undisturbed and change the gauze twice a day.
Post-treatment Care
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Topical ointments such as enzymatic debriding agents or antibiotics may be applied when redressing the wound. Frequent dressing of the wound is not advisable for it tends to disturb the healing environment of the wound. Minor pain and irritation may be experienced even after treatment session. You may consult your doctor on the ways to relieve the treatment's after-effects.
Warning
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Electrical muscle stimulation treatment must be avoided in the presence of sutured nerves or tendons, superficial metal implants, active bleeding and malignancies. It is also not safe for pregnant women.
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