The Therapy Toolbox - Compex

Electrical muscle stimulation is sometimes met with uncertainty, particularly when patients are unfamiliar with how it works. While the idea of using electrical signals in rehabilitation can sound daunting, devices such as Compex are widely used in physiotherapy and are designed to support recovery alongside active exercise.

Compex is a form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Normally, the brain will activate muscles by sending electrical signals through the nervous system. However, following injury, surgery or periods of reduced activity, this process can become less efficient. Even when someone is trying to activate a muscle, the signal may be weaker, resulting in reduced strength, muscle tone and control.

When muscles are not working effectively, the joints they support can become less stable. Over time, this can increase strain on surrounding tissues and contribute to discomfort or altered movement patterns. Electrical stimulation can help address this by encouraging the muscle to contract directly, supporting joint stability and more effective movement as rehabilitation progresses.

During a Compex session, small adhesive electrodes are placed on the skin over specific muscle groups. These are connected to a portable stimulation unit programmed with different settings depending on the aim of treatment. Strengthening programmes cause the muscle to contract in controlled cycles of work and rest, typically lasting around 20 to 30 minutes. Early sessions may involve the muscle working passively, with stimulation later combined with active exercises to improve muscle recruitment and reinforce normal movement patterns.

Compex can also be used to help manage swelling. When fluid builds up around a joint, limb or residual limb, muscles can struggle to activate fully and movement may feel restricted. Specific stimulation programmes promote gentle muscle contractions that help support fluid movement and reduce swelling, improving comfort and readiness for exercise.

When used as part of a wider rehabilitation programme, electrical muscle stimulation can support muscle activation and strength where recovery is limited. This can allow rehabilitation to progress to more challenging exercises when appropriate, while still respecting the patient’s stage of recovery. While the device does not do the hard work on its own, it can provide valuable support when muscles are slow to respond.

Patients often describe the sensation as unusual at first but not painful, and many find it a helpful way to maintain muscle activity without excessive physical demand. As with all interventions at Dorset Orthopaedic, Compex is only used following assessment to ensure it is safe and appropriate for each patient.

Please email Beth with any questions you may have - bethl@dorset-ortho.com