Electrical stimulation of sciatic nerve after decompression. Does the time of intervention counts?

Electrical stimulation of the peripheral nervous fiber after decompression is utilized nowadays on a large scale basis in physiotherapy and in medical rehabilitation centers. In the recent years the literature accumulated significant information on electrical stimulation from the studies made on lab mouse although this information is contradictory in results. We did not identify any study in clinical settings except one on medial nerve. This study aims to clarify if electrical stimulation in clinical settings is time dependent in its effects on peripheral nerve regeneration. The protocol used was: TENS monophasic with a frequency at 20 Hz for the period 30 minutes during 5 days for 4 weeks. We evaluated pre- and post-treatment with: NCV test, Dynamometry and Oswestry Disability Index. Our data suggests that the patients who undergo a program of electrical stimulation in the first 6 months after the decompression surgery have more chances of recovery than those who start later.