Electrotherapeutic Approach to Postoperative Pain following Total Hip Replacement: A Case Study

Persistent pain following unilateral total hip replacement was approached with multiple electrical modalities. lontophoresis, with several ions for specific physiological effects, was utilized successfully. When skin irritation was encountered, high frequency sine wave, i.e., 1 kilohertz, was substituted because of its nonirritating, deep penetration qualities. Ultrasound was also utilized as an adjunct in the attempt to introduce the chemicals previously introduced by iontophoresis by way of the phonophoretic process. TENS was applied at home between office visits to maintain pain control but was not, apparently, involved in the overall rehabilitative process of the pathological conditions, since no lasting analgesic effects were noted. Traditional electrical stimulation techniques were added to the program when specific muscular weakness was noted, using surged sine wave at 1 kilohertz to the affected musculature. The favorable results of this multiphasic approach are clearly demonstrated in the relatively pain-free, functional activities of the patient. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1981;2(4):180-183.