The effect of electrotherapy on traumatic lesions of the sciatic nerve: A review of evidenced-based physiotherapy practice

Abstract

Damage to the sciatic nerve is rare but causes pain that is not easily relieved, thus often necessitating hospitalization. The most common causes of injury are hip surgery, local injections, amputation and hip fracture. This review aims to describe research data on the efficacy of electrotherapy applications in cases of sciatic nerve injury. The Google Scholar and PubMed databases were searched in English with the following keywords: electrotherapy, sciatic injury, physiotherapy, efficacy. Both clinical trials and systematic reviews were included in the review. This review included seven clinical trials and two systematic reviews on the efficacy of various electrotherapy methods. The results of the review showed that electrotherapy can help improve the pain resulting from damage to the sciatic nerve. According to the results of this review, the application of electro acupuncture (EA), Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Medium-Frequency Electrotherapy (MFE) is considered to have a positive effect, although the results of the studies in many cases appear ambiguous. By comparison, EA is considered more efficient. PENS was significantly more effective than TENS in improving physical activity, pain and sleep quality, and postoperative function. New methods, such as the application of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) electrodes with the use of ultrasound, need to be better evaluated in the coming years, but they look very promising.