[Transcutaneous electric muscle stimulation--a "new" possibility for the prevention of thrombosis?]

Adhesive electrodes for transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the calf were applied on the skin of 11 patients with ruptures of the fibular ligaments (treated surgically or conservatively with cast) during the period of immobilisation (four weeks). Muscle stimulations were performed several times a day over a period of at least 15 minutes with a small rechargable muscle stimulation apparatus. Duplex sonography revealed that a significant rise of the venous flow velocity could be achieved with an 8.5-fold increase of the venous flow velocity as measured over the popliteal vein. Transcutaneous muscle stimulation might move to be a "new" efficient method for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis.