The Impact of Delaying Non-Emergency Surgeries on Your Patients

Reduced quality of daily life

Let's take the case of someone suffering from a hip or knee condition. The risk of prolonged waiting is that the person may limit his or her occupational activities due to pain or reduced function: no longer taking walks outside, carrying out landscaping maintenance such as raking leaves, etc. In some cases, the person may even be unable to walk at all. In some cases, the person may even find it impossible to work, with all the consequences this may entail.

THE SET APPROACH: Motivational interviewing

To encourage people to remain active to the best of their ability, it's important that they themselves become aware of the risks associated with inactivity. The motivational interviewing approach (OIIQ, 2012) includes techniques for communicating with the patient that ensure they express themselves on their condition, both physical and psychological, which explains their choices and behaviors. As a result, openness to solutions such as the use of a muscle stimulator (NMES) is greater, since the person has taken part in developing the action plan.

Risks of muscular atrophy:

Muscle stimulation is a well-known technique for post-surgical therapeutic plans. However, the use of NMES is particularly valuable when included early in the process leading up to surgery, as it has been shown to considerably reduce the risk of muscle atrophy associated with reduced physical activity.

The impact of prolonged inactivity (Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 2006)

In adults, 2 to 5 weeks of immobilization reduces the surface area of fibers by 10 to 70%, depending on the duration of immobilization.

A period of 1 to 2 weeks of lower-limb inactivity induces a 15% reduction in knee extensor strength in subjects in their twenties. This reduction can reach over 20% after 4 weeks of inactivity.

Encouraging results for NMES treatments (Walls, 2009)

Studies have shown conclusive results when muscle stimulation is undertaken for a period of 8 weeks at home. They showed significant increases in preoperative muscle strength for several muscles, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings, as well as improvements in objective measures of functional capacity.

These effects translate into a faster recovery of strength and function after surgery too.

THE SET APPROACH: Acting quickly

We support healthcare professionals in the optimal use of NMES at home to prevent muscle atrophy and facilitate pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation.

It is therefore important to remember that a number of preliminary steps are required to begin treatment, particularly for patients who need to obtain approval from the entities that compensate them (public or private).

 The psychological impact of waiting

Recent evidence has shown that postponements under normal circumstances can lead to feelings of sadness, disappointment, frustration and stress in patients (Søreide et al., 2020). Thus, all efforts to support the person's physical condition are likely to be in vain if they become discouraged and pessimistic about the path ahead.

THE SET APPROACH: Therapeutic support

In our therapeutic support, we have found that using NMES at home or in the clinic gives patients a real sense of ownership of their situation. By being directly involved in the preparation for surgery, we see a renewed enthusiasm on the part of the patient for the effort and patience required throughout the pre-operative process.

At SET, our priority is to accompany you as an adjunct to your treatment plans, focusing on close collaboration to maximize the effectiveness of home treatment. We understand the importance of clear and precise communication to identify and meet the specific needs of each patient.

Thanks to our referral tool, we facilitate the establishment of a care plan tailored to your therapeutic objectives, thereby strengthening rehabilitation outcomes for the benefit of your patients.

To explore how our expertise in functional electrotherapy can enrich your practice and improve your patients' outcomes, we invite you to contact one of our experts.

Together, let's move towards a complete approach from the clinic to your patients' homes for optimal results.