Use of Interferential Current (IFC) Therapy After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Purpose

Interferential Current Therapy (IFC) is a form of electrical therapy that utilizes two simultaneous low frequency electrical stimulation which when they cross interfere with one another resulting in an interference or beat frequency. This beat frequency provides a therapeutic area of relief by blocking painful stimuli at the area of interest. IFC is different from the other electrical treatment modalities used because the cancellation effect allows for establishment of the treatment area to be in the deeper tissues of the body, whereas other electrical modalities can only be used to treat superficial body parts that lie just under the skin. The main objective of this proposed study is to assess the post-operative short term outcomes of the patients who receive IFC treatment during their post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery hospital stay. The implications of the study would be improved patient outcome which could result in shorter hospital stay, reduced use of opioid medication, decreased need for manipulation under anesthesia and reduced re-admission rate.

Condition

  • Osteo Arthritis Knee

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

Adult patients with knee osteoarthritis who have failed conservative therapy and undergoing elected TKA. -

Exclusion Criteria

i. <18 years old ii. Any patient with pacemaker or any electrical stimulator device iii. Patients without capacity to consent for the study iv. Patients not able to have local nerve block or spinal anesthesia v. Patients with prior chronic opioid use vi. Patients who are categorized to have 'Severe' fear and anxiety responses to pain, according to the Pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) survey.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Supportive Care
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
IFC Treatment 		The IFC treatment will be used for 30 minutes, twice a day for two days after the total knee arthroplasty
  • Device: Interferential Current Therapy
    IFC treatment after Total Knee Arthroplasty
Placebo Comparator
Placebo 		One set of device is programmed to be used as Placebo, the subject will feel the vibration but will not receive a therapeutic signal.
  • Device: Interferential Current Therapy
    IFC treatment after Total Knee Arthroplasty

More Details

Status
Completed
Sponsor
Montefiore Medical Center

Study Contact