Specific applications
Atrophy of the quadriceps as a result of
trauma
T
he quadriceps is a voluminous muscle
located in the anterior part of the thigh. It
is the main muscle that allows you to
stretch the knee; its role is therefore es-
sential for walking, running, climbing
stairs, etc. Any trauma affecting a lower
limb therefore results in a wasting of this
muscle, the reduction of muscle volume
being more or less serious depending on
the duration of the period of inactivity.
T
his atrophy is normally spectacular when
it occurs after trauma to the knee, particu-
larly if the trauma was treated by means
of surgical intervention.
T
he programmes of the
Rehabilitation
tegory are specifically designed to treat
the deterioration of muscle fibres that re-
sults from such a process. The progressi-
veness of the work imposed by the
different recommended programmes is
decisive in obtaining optimum results.
Cycle duration: 10 weeks
Weeks 1-2: 1 x/ day Disuse atrophy 8G
Weeks 3-8: 1 x/ day Muscle growth 8G
Weeks 9-10: 1 x/ day Reinforcement 8G
Programmes: Disuse atrophy, Muscle growth
c
and Reinforcement 8G
Atrophy of the gluteus as a result of
arthrosis of the hip (coxarthrosis)
T
he pain and stiffening that result from
osteoarthrosis of the hip normally lead to
under-utilisation of the buttock muscles,
causing a reduction of the volume and
quality of these muscles.
T
he main effect of this atrophy is to pro-
duce instability of the pelvis, which
causes limping and accentuates the pain
by increasing the pressures supported by
the joint. Lesions affecting the cartilage
unfortunately remain irreversible. Howe-
ver, a remedy for atrophy of the gluteus
makes it possible to improve the stability
of the joint and therefore make the hip
less painful by allowing it to maintain a
satisfactory mechanical function.
Cycle duration: 10 weeks, then maintenance
202
Rehabilitation
Weeks 1-2: 1 x/ day Disuse atrophy 9ABL
Weeks 3-8: 1 x/ day Muscle growth 9ABL
Weeks 3-8: 1 x/ day Reinforcement 9ABL
Week 11 and following weeks: 1 x/ day Rein-
f
forcement 9ABL
Programmes: Disuse atrophy, Muscle growth
f
and Reinforcement 9ABL
Development of the latissimus dorsi to
treat and prevent tendinous shoulder
pain (rotator cuff syndromes)
T
he shoulder is a complex joint enabling
us to make broad gestures (for example,
raising our arms in the air). During some
of these movements, the tendons in the
ca-
shoulder can rub against or be compres-
sed against bony fragments of the joint.
When this phenomenon is repeated, or
occurs in certain patients who have an
unfavourable anatomic constitution, such
damage to the tendons causes them to be-
come inflamed and thicker, resulting in a
considerable increase in their degree of
compression. The pain often then be-
c
comes very severe, preventing all move-
c
ment of the shoulder; it can even set in at
c
night and cause serious sleep deprivation.
A
ppropriate medical treatment can only
be put in place by consulting a doctor.
However, electrostimulation of the latissi-
mus dorsi by means of specific Compex
programmes can reduce the distress to
which tendons are subjected by increasing
their freedom of movement around the
shoulder joint.
Cycle duration: 6 weeks, then maintenance
Weeks 1-2: 1 x/ day Disuse atrophy 18C
Weeks 3-6: 1 x/ day Muscle growth 18C
Week 6 and following weeks: 1 x/ day Reinfor-
e
cement 18C
Programmes: Disuse atrophy Muscle growth
e
and Reinforcement 18C
Development of the abdominal belt to
prevent pain in the lumbar region (low
back pain)
L
ow back pain arises most frequently
f
among subjects who do not have suffi-
f
cient musculature in the abdominal re-
f
gion.
T
hese muscles in fact represent a veritable
natural "corset", the role of which is to
protect the low back region from exces-
sive stress of all kinds. This is why it is re-
ferred to as the abdominal "belt". After a
bout of lumbago, when the pain has stop-
ped (see Section "Pain category" in Part IV
of this manual), a common recommenda-
tion is to improve the efficiency of the ab-
dominal and back muscles to prevent any
recurrence. The
Disuse atrophy
gramme imposes a large amount of work
on the abdominal muscles, without requi-
ring the harmful or even dangerous posi-
tions often adopted when voluntary
exercises are carried out incorrectly. An
abdominal belt that has greater strength
and endurance can then satisfactorily fulfil
its role of protecting the low back region.
Cycle duration: 4 weeks, then maintenance
Weeks 1-4: 1 x/ day Disuse atrophy 10I
Weeks 5 and following weeks: 1 x/ day Disuse
v
atrophy 10I
Programme: Disuse atrophy 10I
Development of the low back muscles to
prevent pain in the lumbar region (low
back pain)
L
ike the muscles of the abdominal region,
the muscles of the low back (lumbar mus-
cles) also play a role in protecting the low
back region. Subjects whose low back
muscles are inadequately effective are
e
particularly prone to low back pain. Once
e
the pain in the low back has disappeared,
patients are often advised to strengthen
the low back muscles with a view to pre-
venting the recurrence of painful epi-
sodes. However, carrying out voluntary
back exercises often presents serious diffi-
culties for patients who suffer from low
back pain. That is why electrostimulation
of the low back muscles using the
atrophy
programme is one of the prefer-
red methods to improve the efficiency of
these muscles.
Cycle duration: 4 weeks, then maintenance
Rehabilitation
Weeks 1-4: 1 x/ day Disuse atrophy 14L
Weeks 5 and following weeks: 1 x/ day Disuse
b
atrophy 14L
Programme: Disuse atrophy 14L
Strengthening of the lateral peroneus
muscles after ankle sprain
T
he purpose of the lateral peroneus mus-
cles is to maintain the stability of the
ankle joint and prevent it from rotating in-
wardly. After a sprain, these muscles lose
their reflex-contraction capacity together
with much of their strength. Regaining
competent lateral peroneal muscles after a
sprain is a fundamental step, without
which recurrence is very probable. To do
pro-
their job correctly, the lateral peroneals
must be strong enough to prevent the foot
twisting inwards, but they must also
contract reflexively at the precise moment
when the heel tilts inwards. To develop
both of these aspects, strength and speed
of contraction, you should use the
cement
programme, which produces effi-
cient lateral peroneal muscles and
therefore helps to prevent recurrence.
Cycle duration: 4 weeks, then maintenance
v
Weeks 1-4: 1 x/ day Reinforcement 2A
Weeks 5 and following weeks: 1 x/ day Rein-
j
forcement 2A
v
rous sporting activity
Programme: Reinforcement 2A
Disuse
b
b
Reinfor-
j
, if you take part in a dange-
j
203