Superimposed electrical stimulation improves mobility of pre-stiff thumbs after ulnar collateral ligament injury of the metacarpophalangeal joint: A randomized study.

Objective This study aimed at testing the ability of the superimposed electrical stimulation technique to restore the mobility of pre-stiff thumbs after operative repair for rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament. Material and methods Eight patients demonstrating a pre-stiff metacarpophalangeal joint were involved in two rehabilitation sessions of a counterbalanced design. In the voluntary contraction session, they performed 20 min of repeated active flexions of the impaired metacarpophalangeal joint. In the superimposed electrical stimulation session, they performed 20 min of percutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulations which were superimposed to voluntary flexion. Results Mean active range of motion improvement from pre- to post-session was significantly greater in the superimposed electrical stimulation condition compared to the voluntary contraction condition (11 ± 5 deg versus 3 ± 4 deg; P < 0.01). Conclusion Superimposing electrical stimulation to voluntary contractions is an efficient technique to improve active range of motion of the pre-stiff metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]