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Acrocyanosis in a Spinal Cord Injured Patient—Effects of Computer-Controlled Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: A Case Report

D Twist, PhD, PT, is Director of Education and Research and Chief of Physical Therapy Services, Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT 06856 (USA).

This case report documents the treatment of a spinal cord injured patient with acrocyanosis of both feet. The 37-year-old white male patient sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury at the age of 16 years, which resulted in an incomplete vertebral fracture of the C5-C6 level. He was treated with computerized neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the quadriceps femoris muscle with weights applied to the ankles an average of two times per week for six weeks. Improvements in the color of the patient's skin and toe ulcers, stronger pedal pulses bilaterally, decreased swelling bilaterally, and subjective reports of less discomfort were noted. The empirical findings of this case report suggest that computerized NMES may be effective for improving circulation in the spinal cord injured individual with acrocyanosis. Further study, however, is needed to determine whether a relationship may exist between blood flow and computerized NMES.

Key Words: Electrotherapy, electrical stimulation • Equipment, exercise • Exercise

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				B. F Miller, K. G Gruben, and B. J Morgan Circulatory Responses to Voluntary and Electrically Induced Muscle Contractions in Humans Physical Therapy, January 1, 2000; 80(1): 53 - 60. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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