Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a means of producing useful movement in paralysed muscles. The Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator (ODFS) applies small electrical pulses to the common peroneal nerve producing dorsiflexion and eversion, lifting the foot in swing and stabilising the ankle when it is returned to the ground. Use of the ODFS has been shown to:
- reduce the effort of walking
- increase speed of walking
- improve confidence and independence
- reduce tripping and falling
- improve quality of life
for people with upper motor neurone conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury (T12 and above), Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy and hereditary spastic paraparesis.
NICE Guidelines
The National Institue for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has now published it's guidelines for FES for dropped foot as an interventional procedure (IPG 278). The guidance supports the use of FES within the NHS and applies to all patient groups who have dropped foot due to upper motor neurone lesions. To see the guidelines visit www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/IPG278