Efficacy of hypothermia and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in podiatric surgery.

At Harrison County Hospital in Corydon, Indiana, hypothermia and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS) have greatly decreased the use of postoperative analgesics and narcotics in controlling postoperative pain. There was a significant reduction in ecchymosis and edema of the foot and ankle as well as postoperative pain under the program used at this hospital.