Use of electrical stimulation and exercise to increase muscle strength in a patient after surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

ABSTRACT

Current literature offers little research on the restoration of function in patients following anterior decompression surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. This case report describes the functional outcomes for a physical therapy program using a protocol of alternate day electrical stimulation to hip and knee extensor muscles along with exercise. The protocol, designed to increase lower extremity strength necessary for ambulation in a patient who was status post anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery, consisted of treatment sessions five times per week for 6 weeks and included electrical stimulation [medium frequency alternating current (MFAC)] in conjunction with active range of motion exercises, followed by functional mobility training and gait training. Outcome measures included Manual Muscle testing, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injuries (WISCI). Improvement was demonstrated in all three measures following the use of the treatment regimen, suggesting there may be a benefit to the use of electrical stimulation and exercise to increase lower extremity strength and improve gait outcomes in this population. Definitive conclusions regarding the correlation between this treatment protocol and the outcomes achieved are limited by the case report design. Carefully designed research studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the protocol.