Effect of ipsilateral and bilateral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on postoperative pain following hip fracture surgery

Abstract

[Purpose] To evaluate the effects of ipsilateral and bilateral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the legs of two patients following hip fracture surgery. [Subjects] Patient 1 had an intertrochanteric fracture, and Patient 2 had a femoral neck fracture. [Methods] Patient 1 received ipsilateral and bilateral TENS for 30 minutes for 3 days after surgery. Patient 2 received ipsilateral TENS for 1 hour on the first postoperative day and ipsilateral and bilateral TENS for 1 hour on the second and third postoperative days. Pain was recorded on a numerical rating scale (NRS) before and after TENS. [Results] Ipsilateral and bilateral TENS decreased NRS of both patients. There was a score difference of one between ipsilateral and bilateral TENS in patient 2. [Conclusion] Ipsilateral and bilateral TENS decreased NRS. Clarifying the effects of ipsilateral and bilateral TENS in a placebo-controlled trial will be necessary.