Taking Your Rehab Into Your Own Hands
What You Can Do at Home to Positively Support Your Recovery:
Recovering from surgery can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re eager to get back to the activities you love. But the truth is, some of the most powerful steps you can take happen between your physical therapy appointments. One of the most effective tools to support early healing and functional recovery is neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES).
Why NMES Matters After Surgery
After many lower-extremity surgeries, muscle activation becomes impaired—especially in the quadriceps. Swelling, pain, joint trauma, and protective inhibition all contribute to what’s known as arthrogenic muscle inhibition, making it extremely difficult to fully contract key muscles in the early phases of recovery.
This is exactly where NMES becomes invaluable.
Research shows that consistent use of NMES for up to the first 6 weeks post-operatively can:
Improve quadriceps and other muscle activation
Reduce muscular atrophy
Decrease pain
Enhance joint function
Accelerate return to normal daily activities
Support a faster pathway to sport-specific performance
By generating strong, targeted muscle contractions when voluntary effort is limited, NMES helps bridge the gap between early healing and functional strength.
Post-Operative Surgeries That Benefit From NMES
NMES is not just for ACL repairs—it has wide application across many orthopedic procedures. Common surgeries where NMES can play a positive role include:
Achilles tendon repair – Helps maintain calf activation and prevent early atrophy
Tibial intramedullary (IM) rod fixation – Supports quad activation as gait normalizes
ACL reconstruction – One of the most researched applications for restoring quadriceps strength
Meniscus repair or meniscectomy – Assists in re-engaging the quadriceps as swelling limits voluntary contraction
Total knee replacement (TKA) – Improves early quadriceps strength and functional mobility
Quadriceps or patellar tendon repair – Crucial for stimulating safe, early activation while following surgical precautions
For many of these surgeries, early quad shutdown can significantly delay milestones like straight-leg raises, normalized walking, stair negotiation, and return to basic ADLs. NMES helps jump-start this process.
Why Proper Training and Dosing Matter
While NMES is extremely effective, the results depend heavily on correct setup, intensity, and timing.
That’s why it’s essential to be trained by a licensed physical therapist who understands:
Your specific surgical procedure and restrictions
How to correctly place electrodes
What intensity is needed to achieve a true tetanic muscle contraction
How to integrate NMES with your early exercises
When and how to progress as healing allows
Proper dosing is critical—and it’s not something most patients can guess on their own. Working with a PT ensures you’re using NMES safely, effectively, and in a way tailored to your unique postoperative stage.
The NMES Home Unit Dr. Troulliet Recommends
Dr. Troulliet of Victory Fitness + Physical Therapy has used NMES with hundreds of athletes—from semi-pro competitors, CrossFit athletes, and Tactical Games athletes, to D1 collegiate athletes, weekend warriors, and youth Little League players.
She recommends this NMES home unit
Using the right device—and using it correctly—can make a dramatic difference in your recovery trajectory.
Ready to Take Ownership of Your Rehab?
If you’re preparing for surgery or currently navigating recovery, an individualized plan can accelerate your progress. Setting up an evaluation with Dr. Troulliet allows you to:
Learn how to correctly use NMES for your specific surgery
Build a customized home program to support recovery between PT visits
Understand what you should be doing daily to positively influence healing
Stay on track with clear milestones and professional guidance
Feel confident that you’re doing everything possible to return stronger
Take your rehab into your own hands—start by partnering with someone who knows how to guide you there - Mention this blog post for $50 your initial evaluation!
