Enraf-Nonius
9
5.3.1
Indication/Contraindications for NMES
Indications:
•
Relaxation of muscle spasms.
•
Prevention or retardation of disuse atrophy.
•
Increasing local blood circulation.
•
Muscle
re-education.
•
Immediate post-surgical stimulation of calf muscles to prevent venous thrombosis.
•
Maintaining or increasing range of motion.
Contraindications:
•
This device should not be used on patients with demand-type cardiac pacemakers.
•
This device should not be used over cancerous lesions.
•
Electrode placements that apply current to the carotid sinus region (anterior neck) must
be avoided.
•
Electrode placements that apply current transcereberally (through the head) must be
avoided.
•
Electrode placements that apply current transthoracically (the introduction of electrical
current into the heart may cause cardiac arrhythmias) must be avoided.
Warnings:
•
The long-term effects of chronic electrical stimulation are unknown.
•
Safety has not been established for the use of therapeutic electrical stimulation during
pregnancy.
•
Stimulation should not be applied over swollen, infected, or inflamed areas of skin
eruptions e.g., phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, etc.
•
See also chapter 3, Precautionary Instructions, for general Warnings and Precautions.
Precautions:
•
Adequate precautions should be taken when treating individuals with suspected or
diagnosed heart problems, or epilepsy.
•
Caution should be used when there is a tendency to hemorrhage following acute
trauma or fracture.
•
Caution should be used following recent surgical procedures when muscle contraction
may disrupt the healing process.
•
Caution should be used over the menstruating uterus.
•
Caution should be used over areas of the skin which lack normal sensation.
•
Some patients may experience skin irritation or hypersensitivity due to electrical
stimulation or electrical conductive medium. The irritation can usually be reduced by
using an alternative conductive medium, or alternate electrode placement.
Adverse Effects:
•
In general TENS currents do not cause skin irritation and burns beneath the electrodes
due to the characteristics of these currents.
