Sub-Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Neuromuscular Electrostimulation of the Common Peroneal Nerve after Forefoot Surgery
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Gaps remain in the evidence base for postoperative management following forefoot surgery. A recent randomized controlled trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04927234 ) demonstrated improved outcomes with intermittent one Hertz (Hz) neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the common peroneal nerve. This sub-analysis evaluates its effect in patients undergoing forefoot surgery.
Forty-two patients undergoing forefoot procedures were included; 26 received NMES plus standard of care (SOC) and 16 received SOC alone. Wound healing was assessed at 14 days. Edema was measured using the figure-of-eight (FO8) method. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ).
At 14 days, complete wound healing occurred in 77% of patients receiving NMES plus SOC compared with 40% in the SOC group (p<0.05). Edema reduction was significantly greater in the NMES group, with a 74% relative reduction compared with SOC (p=0.02).
Intermittent one Hz NMES of the common peroneal nerve was associated with improved wound healing and reduced postoperative edema following forefoot surgery.
