EMS Devices and Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) or electromyostimulation uses an electrical current to stimulate your muscles. The impulses are produced by a device and delivered through electrodes that are placed on the skin near the muscles that require stimulation. The impulses mimic the impulses generated by the brain to stimulate muscle tissue. The result of stimulation is the toning and strengthening of muscles.

How EMS Works

EMS devices have become quite popular in sports injury rehabilitation. When a person has a muscle injury, the electrical current produced by the EMS machine stimulates the muscles. This stimulation triggers repairing of the muscle tissue.

Electronic Muscle Stimulation Devices produce electrical signals that stimulate the nerves. The devices are normally connected to the patient through electrodes that are held in place with adhesive. By placing the pads on a certain set of muscles, and then sending the impulses via the EMS unit, the muscles will react by contracting and relaxing. The resulting contractions are much like the contractions that take place during regular exercise.

Depending on the area that requires treatment, a practitioner can switch the voltage for different pressure points on the muscle. The low voltage reduces pain and stimulates the muscle tissue. EMS devices help stimulate muscle tissue that may not be affected by regular exercise routines. They will stimulate damaged muscle tissues resulting in repairing, toning, and strengthening of the damaged tissue. Wherever the tissues are damaged, EMA devices will stimulate the fibers to various degrees and patterns. These patterns will create a different response from the contraction. Programs are designed to improve exhaustion resistance, endurance, and promote muscle healing. The purpose of using EMS on athletes is to shorten recovery time so they can return to the sport.

Benefits of using EMS Devices

When using EMS devices, the repair process is much quicker because nerve and muscle tissue are able to recover faster after an injury. The rehabilitation process is reduced so the athlete is able to return to the sport much sooner. The treatment is much less painful so the athlete is motivated to concentrate on the healing process. If treatment takes place right away, an athlete has a better chance of avoiding a long term injury. This will keep the athlete positive during the rehabilitation process. Because the devices are very light and battery-operated, they can be taken almost any place. As well, it is an effective tool for people who have a long term injury. If someone spends a great deal of time in bed, a condition known as muscle atrophy will take place. This condition occurs when the muscles begin to waste. Electrical muscle stimulation is an excellent and efficient way of maintaining muscle integrity and strength.

The electrical muscle stimulation device is normally used by a professional medical practitioner. They know exactly where to place the electrodes in order stimulate the correct muscle fiber. An untrained individual may use the device improperly which could add further trauma to the injury. As well, the FDA states that EMS devices should not be used on children and should be used in accordance with their intended use.

People who use the for purposes other than a sports injury do so for stress and relief from minor pain such as muscle and joint aches, to enhance their fitness program, strengthen muscles, and improve their appearance.

Most people who have received EMS treatment find the process helpful and relaxing. Electronic muscle stimulators are a great way to promote muscle healing, control pain, and tone and strengthen your muscles.

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ACL rehab – If you have recently suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear or acl knee  injury  these exercises could assist you in your acl rehabilitation.

Please note – Check with your orthopedic surgeon before commencing these exercises and if pain or swelling increases cease them and consult your orthopedist. 

These knee injury exercises may assist in your recovery, however, commence them only if they can be endured without discomfort.

1  Isometrical muscular contraction of the Quads :While sitting on the floor extend your injured knee out in front of you and bend your other leg. Tighten the quads of the injured knee without moving your leg. (Try pushing down against the floor with the top of your leg). Hold this position for about ten seconds. Relax. Do this exercise 10 times.

2  Heel slips: Sit down on the floor with your legs extended outwards. Slowly bend the damaged knee and keeping while your heel on the floor, move your foot towards you. Repeat this ten times.

3  Prone knee flexures: Lay face down on the floor. Your legs should be straight and together. While bending your knee bring your heel back towards your buttocks. Hold for five seconds. Relax. Repeat ten times.

When you can stand on both legs and can place equal weight on each leg without any discomfort to the injured knee and any swelling has decreased you could try the following knee rehabilitation exercises.

4  Heel lifts: Stand up and place your hand on a chair to help balance. Keep your toes on the floor raise your heel and hold for five seconds. Lower your heel slowly to the floor.  Repeat ten times.

5  Half squats: Stand up facing a table and hold the table with both hands and place your feet about a shoulder’s width apart.  Slowly bend your knees and squat into the half squat position. Hold this position for about ten seconds. Slowly stand up and return to the original position.  Do this ten times.

6  Passive knee extensions: Sit in a chair and put your heel on another chair.  Ensure this chair is the same height. Relax your leg and straighten your leg. Hold this position initially for 1 minute an slowly increase the time to 2 minutes.  Do this a few times a day.  This exercise will stretch the hamstrings.

7  Knee extensions: tie one end of Theraband or elastic exercise tubing around one leg of a table and the other end around the ankle of your injured leg.  Face the tableand bend your knee to around 45 degrees against the resistance of the tubing and then relax and return to the starting position.  Repeat 10 times.

8  Standing on one leg: Only do this exercise when the swelling and pain in your injured knee has diminished and the your leg has regained some strength.  Stand unaided on the injured leg for ten seconds.

These exercises can be part of your acl physical therapy regimen and could assist in your ACL rehab.

ACL Knee Surgery Rehabilitation

An anterior cruciate ligament tear is a common sports injury that generally requires reconstructive knee surgery. A proper ACL injury rehabilitation program is vital.

ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation

Since these publications, Kevin and I have continued to advance our ACL rehabilitation protocol.

ACL Rehab

hi guys! ive torn my front acl and the surgery is now 8 weeks ago. any experiences with it?

How to get through acl rehab

maybe some of his travel photography can inspire you to make no little plans when your acl is back and kicking.

Technorati Tags: acl, acl physical therapy, ACL rehab, acl rehabilitation, anterior cruciate ligament, ehab, exercises, injury, knee, knee rehabilitation exercises, ligament, physical, rehabilitation, tear, therapy

Knee Strengthening Exercises - If you have a bad knee then knee physical therapy is very important.  This article outlines knee rehabilitation exercises that can be used to strengthen and reduce pain in the knee.

Exercises for a Bad Knee

Knee pain can occur for various reasons. Read on for some basic exercises for a bad knee.

Physical exercises are very important and should be incorporated in our everyday life to have a healthy mind and a healthy body. One can choose from many fitness activities that will help to keep a body fit and active. Well, a person may suffer from a bad knee due to a variety of reasons. It can be because of an injury or it may happen even with age. Here, we can take a quick look at some basic exercises for a bad knee.

Exercises for a Bad Knee:
There are many exercises that help to strengthen muscles around the knee area. These exercises also help to strengthen muscles and ligaments even around the buttock. Take a look at some of the examples.

Lie on your back and bend your knees. Feet should be flat on the floor. Then, suck your belly button inside and clench your bottom. Now, you would need to lift the body off from the floor and point it towards the ceiling. Remain in the position for 2 seconds and then slowly lower yourself halfway towards the floor. Remember one thing whilst you do this step – keep the tummy and the bottom squeezed towards the inside. Now, repeat the process. Avoid lowering the body completely on the floor with the repetition of each step. Begin with small sets and increase them during the week.

A lunge is a very easy exercise for a bad knee. Put one leg forward and bend both knees. You must keep the body straight. After bending, come up slowly. Repeat the process by putting the other leg forward. This will stretch the thighs as well.

Here is another exercise for a bad knee. You first need to lie on the floor. Then, place a towel underneath the thighs. This will act as a support. Now, keep the leg straight and then raise the foot to a height of 6 inches. Hold the leg in this position for a few seconds. Then, lower the foot by bending the knee. Repeat at least 10 times. You need to try alternate sides for this exercise.

You can read more about knee strengthening exercises. Yoga exercises also prove to be very helpful in the long run. A basic exercise routine is thus so important for physical fitness.

By Kashmira Lad Published: 10/20/2008

 

Exercises for Knee Pain

Hey everybody, Knee&l fef t;/b> pain sucks. It makes you feel like you can’t exercise, when in reality, there’s so much you can do. Knee Pain Exercises – Knee.

Arthritis Knee Exercises

Knee arthritis exercises are very important if one is experiencing arthritis in the knee joints. 

Knee (ACL) Exercises

Passive knee extension: Do this exercise if you are unable to fully extend your knee. While lying on your back, place a rolled up towel underneath the heel of you injured leg so it is about 6 inches off the ground.

Knee Exercises

Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee) Rehabilitation Exercises. You can do the hamstring stretch right away. When the pain in your knee has decreased, you can do the quadriceps stretch and start strengthening the thigh muscles

Technorati Tags: knee, knee injury rehabilitation, knee rehabilitaion execises, knee rehabilitation exercises, knee strengthening exercises, physical, physical therapy, rehabilitation, strengthening, therapy

Total knee replacement recovery exercises play a major part in your recovery following knee surgery.  Remember that your knee replacement procedure was a major operation and full recovery will take time. 

It is imperative that a regular exercise regime is commenced as soon as possible to help restore the mobility and strength to your knee.  This will help speed up your recovery so that you can return to your normal activities as quickly as possible.

Your orthopedic surgeon will recommend the knee exercises that you should do.  These will generally start off fairly light and gradually increase in intensity.  It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions on this physical therapy.
As you gain more strength and confidence your knee therapy can consist of more advanced exercises.  Here are some which can be useful.  Before starting on these exercises please run them past your orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist.  These advanced exercises should be started until at least 4 weeks after your knee surgery.

AdvancedKnee Exercises

Standing Knee Bends

Stand up and using a walker or crutches to steady yourself, lift your thigh while bending your knee as much as you can.  Hold this position for between 5 to 10 seconds and then straighten your knee making sure that your heel touches the floor first.  Repeat this a few times but do not over do it.

Advanced Knee Bends

Lie on your back and bend your knee to about 45 degrees.  Place a rolled up towel over your ankle and take hold of each end.  Gently pull back on the towel to increase the angle of bend.  Hold for around 5 – 10 seconds.  Repeat this exercise several times.

Resistance Knee Exercises

Using light weights, repeat the above exercises with the weights wrapped around your ankle.

These resistance exercises should not be started until at least 4 – 6 weeks after your knee replacement surgery. 

You will need some light weights that can be tied around your ankle.  These can be obtained from most sports stores.  Start with one or 2 pound weights and slowly increase the weight as you regain strength in the knee joint.

Exercise Bike

Using an exercise bike is great way to increase mobility in your knee and muscle strength.

Make sure you set the bike up properly.  Adjust the height of the seat so that with your knee almost straight the bottom of your foot touched the pedal.  Keep the tension of the exercise bike fairly low so it is easy to pedal.

First of all pedal backwards.  When you achieve a pedalling motion that does not give you any discomfort then start pedalling forwards.  Do this twice a day for about 15 minutes and slowly increase the time.  When you feel comfortable in doing so, increase the tension.

Precautions

It is not uncommon for you to feel knee pain or swelling after knee physical therapy like this.  This can be relieved by applying ice to your knee and elevating your leg.  If you feel the pain or swelling is extreme, cease the exercises and consult your health specialist.

These exercises should be an integral part of your total knee replacement recovery regimen 

Written by Kerry N  

Knee Rehab Exercises – Bill Starr

“There’s no doubt in my mind that a lot of major knee injuries have been prevented because the joint was extra strong. The controlled up -and-down movement of the squat is the best rehab exercise. 

Speeding Up Your Recovery After Knee Arthroscopy

… this is unusual with arthroscopic knee surgery. Usually, you will be able to walk without assistance. You will need to take care about bearing weight at first, but as time passes and you persist with your postoperative exercises

How to strengthen your Knees

Here’s a great video which includes a detailed analysis of knee function anatomy, common injuries, potentially dangerous exercises and causes of pain, useful rehab exercises and protocols. 

Knee (ACL) Exercises

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury Rehabilitation Exercises. 

Physical Therapy Knee Exercises: Knee Rehabilitation Exercises

What knee exercises do you do/have you done to help strengthen your muscles? Have you worn a brace while running? If so, do you have an brands/types you can recommend over others? Is running on specific terrain easier on your knee?

Technorati Tags: exercise, knee, knee physical therapy, knee rehab, Knee Rehabilitation and Exercises, knee replacement physical therapy, physical, procedure, recovery, rehabilitation, replacement, surgery, therapy, total, total knee replacement exercise, total knee replacement procedure, total knee replacement recovery, total knee replacement rehabilitation, total knee replacement surgery, total the replacement exercises

 Knee joint replacement surgery  is a major operation and whether you have a full or partial knee replacement problems can occur. This article discusses what you need to ensure you are prepared for rehabilitation after invasive or arthroscopic knee surgery.

What You Need To Know Before Your Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee Replacement is pretty scary, but you can do it, especially if you are prepared! After you and your Doctor have decided you need your knee replaced, it’s time to make preparations.

First and foremost, check with your insurance company to make sure which benefits you have. Find out specifically how long they will allow you to stay in the hospital. Many insurance companies will make you leave the on the fourth day after the operation and they may send you to a ‘rehabilitation facility’, which in their jargon could mean a nursing home.

In my experience, I was transferred to the nursing home on a Friday. This meant I would not be evaluated by their visiting physical therapist until Monday. Because of that, I declined from a 90 degree bend in my new knee to a 70 degree bend, in just three days. All my rehab in the hospital had just gone down the drain and I had to start all over again. Just so you know, you will be working towards a 125 degree bend after the Knee Replacement Surgery.

It is very important to know how the insurance company will deal with you before, during and after the knee surgery.

Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask the following questions:

* Find out with whom you are speaking, their position and their extension number.

* I want to know what benefits I have for a total Knee Replacement.

* Do I have skilled Physical Therapy benefits in the hospital where the surgery takes place for the Knee Replacement? Yes or No? If yes, what are they?

* Do I have Rehabilitation benefits for the Knee Replacement? Yes or No? If yes, what are they? Where may I go for the services?

* Do I have Rehabilitation equipment and supplies covered for the Knee Replacement? Yes or No? If yes, what are they? Is there a co-pay?

* Do I have ongoing outpatient therapy benefits for after the Knee Replacement? Yes or No? If yes, what are they? Where may I go for services?

* Do I have home therapy benefits after the Knee Replacement? Yes or No? If yes, what are they? Which Home Health agencies may I use after the Knee Replacement?

To maintain your independence at home, after your Knee Replacement Surgery, buy a bar refrigerator that will go on a table next to your bed. This will be invaluable when you do come home. Stock it with water, sodas, milk, Jell-O’s and individual pudding snacks. Fresh fruit is also a good snack. Purchase the 2 oz boxes of cereals and stack them beside the refrigerator. Put a large plastic drinking cup next to the bed and weight it with a golf ball, which will hold plastic utensils, knives, forks and spoons (the golf ball keeps it from tipping over). Use a plastic bowl for the cereal and throw it away when you’re done. Bumblebee Tuna makes an individual lunch kit that comes pre-made with crackers and a little wooden spoon.

These little things will help you feel independent by being able to get breakfast, snacks and an occasional lunch on your own. It also gives your care giver a little break. I found that there were some days that I had no appetite due to pain and/or medication so I kept a stock of Slim Fast or Boost in the refrigerator for basic nutrition.

If you smoke, now is the time to stop or at least cut down. Smoking constricts your blood vessels which is not a good thing when you’re going in for major surgery. If you tend to be a little over weight try to lose a few pounds. A little less weight on a new knee joint means a little less pain. Okay, no more preaching.

Line up the people that will be helping you after your Knee Replacement Surgery and, believe me, you will need them. If you can afford it, hire someone to come in for 4-6 hours a day. They will help you get out of bed, shower and get dressed. They prepare your meals, help you with your therapy exercises, keep you company and give your spouse or significant other, a break. Interview them now and let them know what your timing is. Your church would be a good place to find someone, or if you live near a retirement community, many times they have companions of their own that are looking for some extra income.

This isn’t essential but I think wise. Donate two pints of your own blood in case of an emergency. Make sure that this is completed at least a week before the surgery. You have to donate one pint per week. If you are taking antibiotics wait five days before giving blood. The blood bank will give you a card with the unit number on it that you present upon admission to the hospital.

You will need Grab Bars put into your shower/tub (don’t use your towel bars). Put them in before you have the surgery, installation is not that difficult and you will be grateful for the assistance over the next couple of months. This is a major safety issue. Balance will be tough after your Knee Replacement Surgery especially the first couple of weeks. You should buy a shower stool so you can sit while bathing. Your doctor may supply you with a cast protector to keep your new knee dry.

Purchase three rubber mats, one for in the shower/tub and the other two to be lined up parallel outside the shower/tub. You do not want to slip on a wet bathroom floor.

There is a product; a disposable body wash cloth, available that you can use to bathe in your bed. They can be placed in the microwave to be heated up and you can use them on days that you just can’t face the shower. They come in packs of eight. While they say to use all eight for one bathing I found that four were sufficient. Just close up the remaining four and use save them for the next time.

You will need a pair of slippers that cover the entire foot with a non skid bottom, flip flops are just too dangerous. You will also need a pair of lace up shoes for stability.

Some other items that you may need are:

* TV with Remote Control

* Telephone/emergency numbers

* A night light for the bathroom

* Handi-wipes

* Bedside Commode/Toilet paper

* Tissues

* Dental floss, toothbrush, toothpaste

* Bell to ring for assistance

Another suggestion is to clear all the pathways in your home. Scatter rugs and cords are often the cause of falls, so are pillows and magazine. Remove articles from around the bed and chairs. Keep your pets under control. A dozing cat or a playful puppy in the wrong area can cause accidents.

Please see my other article on what you need to know about the day of knee replacement surgery and your rehabilitation.

Copyright, Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

By: Mary Hanna

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement

While traveling in Oregon three weeks before Dr. Tarlow was to perform my Knee replacement, I meet a fellow who had knee replacement surgery 3½ weeks prior and walking with minimal use of a cane.

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

BoneSmart.org is a National Public-Awareness Campaign for Candidates of Hip Replacement Surgery and Knee Replacement Surgery. 

Total knee replacement surgery can boost mobility in elderly

Total knee replacement surgery can significantly improve physical functioning and motor skills of older patients with osteoarthritis, according to Duke researchers. 

Total Knee Replacement Surgery

What’s involved in Total Knee Replacement surgery?.

Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is fairly common and is not limited to a profession or gender, though it is generally more prevalent in older patients.

About The Author Mary Hanna writes eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles. Visit her websites at: www.biaxininfo.com www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com All of the products recommended in the article can be found at: www.MedicalCheap.com

Technorati Tags: arthroscopic, knee joint replacement surgery, knee replacement recovery time, partial knee replacement problems, problems, recovery, rehabilitation, rehabilitation after arthroscopic knee surgery

This article contains information about when a knee support brace is most useful.

Best Knee Brace – When Is A Knee Support Most Useful?

Are you curious as to when a knee brace is useful?

Are you wondering when you should wear one?

Let’s give you some information to help clear things up…

Your physician may recommend that you use a knee brace due to an injury you may have sustained. Maybe you have an older knee brace and you are looking for a new one, but are not sure which one to get.

Knowing your injury, or your diagnosis is vital to choosing the best knee brace for your purposes. Knowing your diagnosis or injury is also helpful to determine when to wear your knee brace.

Injuries may be the result of a sudden athletic incident, or many micro incidents may add up to a larger injury. A knee brace can be a useful adjunct to your recovery from such an incident. Knee braces do help to increase your knee stability and can help promote healing.

How is the promotion of healing achieved? As a result of supporting your knee and keeping it in more proper alignment, a knee brace will help stabalize your knee. A knee brace also helps to provide stability to your knee by helping to limit painful and destructive movements that will continue to insult an already injured knee.

There are other reasons why knee braces are useful…

Knee braces are often used for protection purposes. If you play intense contact sports, such as football, protective knee braces can be extremely helpful. For instance, football linemen who may fall to the ground during play, may have another large opposing player fall on their knee the wrong way. A knee brace will help to resist such destructive injuries.

For purposes of rehabilitation, a knee brace can also be useful. For example, once you have had a surgery, your knee may be temporarily unstable. The ligaments, muscles, and bones may be healing, and as a result you will need some external support to make sure nothing sets back your recovery period. Moreover, you may go through an active rehabilitation process with a physical and/or occupational therpist. Due to the fact that you will be pushed to perform physically, a knee brace can help you feel more stable. This is very important when you are in a more vulnerable position.

A person should never overuse or misuse a knee brace. It is important that a person does not use a knee brace as a crutch. Knee braces are very, very useful, but at the same time, a person must also realize that they are not invinceable with one on.

By: Daniel Sims

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Sports Knee Brace

Athletic hinged knee brace made from breathable neoprene for during sports activities to support knee injuries. 

Tom Brady Bouncing Back From Knee Surgery

Owner Robert Kraft has said Brady will wear a brace on the left knee, which is standard for players coming off this type of injury. Both Rivers and Palmer wore knee braces coming off their ailments.

ACL Knee Braces For Knee Injury Prevention

ACL Knee braces are good supports that you wear for a painful or damaged/injured knee. Many people use them to prevent knee injuries from occurring during sports. Knee Braces are constructed from advanced materials. 

Sports Knee Braces

With more and more sports people having to resort to the use of knee braces to allow them to continue their sport, maybe it is time to find out more about sports knee braces, how they work and what they can do for you.

If you would like to learn more about knee braces, check us out online at www.drbraceco.com We are brace specialists with the experience to help you make the best choice for your needs.

Technorati Tags: best knee brace, brace, injury, knee, knee brace, knee support brace, rehabilitation, support