Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
The nerves from the brain to the limb can be divided into two groups, upper motor neurone, which includes the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, and lower motor neurone, which describes the nerves from the spinal cord to the limb and the reflex nerve which goes from the limb back to the spinal cord.
• If the controlling nerves from the brain or the spinal cord are damaged and the lower motor neurone nerves are intact, then either a splint or FES will work for these patients. Typically, the types of assault on the nervous system which attack the upper motor neurones are: Cerebral Palsy (CP); Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury; Stroke (CVA); Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP); Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
• If the lower motor neurones are damaged, these are the nerves from the muscle to the spinal cord and the reflex nerves from the spinal cord to the muscle, then only a splint will work for these people as an electrical current from an FES unit will not get to the spinal cord to give a reflex stimulation.
FES treatment
Our Orthotists are specialists in foot drop treatment and management. The condition, which causes reduced mobility, can be a result of a traumatic local or central nervous system injury, a degenerative disease such as multiple sclerosis, or central nervous system assault, such as a stroke or cerebral vascular accident (CVA).
These and other similar neuromuscular diseases can result in massive reductions in mobility, which can happen suddenly or become apparent over time. One of the most disabling components of reduction in mobility is a foot drop. This may be flaccid (floppy) or spastic (tight) and can occur on one or both sides.
Technology in Motion’s clinics offer all types of orthotics including drop foot treatment splints to relieve these problems, enabling our clients to regain some of their lost independence.
We also work closely with one of the leading groups offering Functional Electronic Stimulation (FES), which, depending on the nature of the original reason for the foot drop, can stimulate your muscles into action.
Functional Electrical Stimulation for Foot Drop
As part of our commitment to providing advanced treatments, Technology in Motion offers full service Functional Electronic Stimulation for Foot Drop (FES) treatment to both adult and child patients who have foot drop due to one of the following reasons:
• Cerebral Palsy (CP).
• Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.
• Stroke (CVA).
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
• Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP).
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
If you would like to read more information on what is the best treatment for Foot Drop? Please check out our informative blog post.
