[Treatment of post-traumatic hemarthroses of the knee and ankle in children using transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation]

TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) was applied in 36 children with knee or ankle hemarthros. Pain was diminished after first or second treatment and completely disappeared at the end of the first or second day. Swelling usually disappeared in the interval between the third and seventh day. At the end of the treatment joint movement was significantly improved. In the control group who received only conventional conservative treatment (puncture, immobilization or inactivity, drugs) swelling and pain were still present after the seventh day and these patients needed additional physiotherapy for next seven days. We consider the TENS a method of choice in the treatment of posttraumatic hemarthros providing that treatment starts immediately after the injury and that it is continually applied during 3-5 days. The patients are advised to use crutches. It is a simple, painless method which is not combined with any additional treatment. Proteolytic ointments can increase and stimulate the therapeutic effects.