Which statement correctly describes the combined evidence for NMES and cryotherapy after ACL reconstruction?

• A. NMES is moderate; Cryotherapy is strong
• B. NMES is strong; Cryotherapy is moderate
• C. NMES is strong; Cryotherapy is strong
• D. NMES is moderate; Cryotherapy is moderate

Answer: (B)

After ACL reconstruction, the quadriceps often suffer from inhibition and atrophy, so rehab tools that directly boost muscle activation are particularly helpful. NMES helps by triggering quadriceps contractions even when voluntary drive is reduced, supporting strength gains and reducing muscle loss when it’s used alongside active exercises. Across multiple trials and syntheses, NMES shows consistent improvement in quadriceps strength and activation, so the evidence for its effectiveness is strong. Cryotherapy is widely used to control pain and swelling in the early postoperative period, and it reliably reduces edema and discomfort. However, its impact on actual strength improvements or longer-term functional recovery is less consistent, which is why the evidence for cryotherapy is moderate. So, the combined evidence describes NMES as strong and cryotherapy as moderate.