1. Functional Electrical Stimulation FES
XFT-2001 Foot Drop System provides a range of neuromuscular stimulators designed to improve the functional ability of people with a neurological condition.
2. What is Dropped Foot?
Dropped foot is the inability to lift the foot while walking. It can occur due to weakness or paralysis of the muscles involved in lifting the foot or over activity (spasticity) of the muscles that push the foot down. As a result, the toes may catch the ground as the foot is swinging forward and there is an increased risk of going over on the ankle when the foot is put back on the ground. As a result, walking is made:
l Less safe because of increased risk of falls
l Less efficient requiring greater energy to get anywhere
l Slower and only short distances may be possible
l Dropped foot can reduce both independence and participation in daily life.
l A dropped foot is common following many neurological conditions that affect the brain or spinal cord.
3. Dropped Foot Treatment
The XFT-2001 Foot Drop System is a single channel, tilt sensor switch controlled neuromuscular stimulator designed to correct dropped foot. Self adhesive skin electrodes are placed on the side of the leg over a nerve called the common peroneal. Stimulation causes the foot to lift (dorsiflexion) and tilt slightly (eversion). Electrode positions can also be chosen that produces a reflex action, adding knee and hip flexion.
Stimulation also can be timed to walking by using a pressure switch placed in the shoe under the heel. Stimulation begins when the heel is lifted from the ground and ends just after heel strike. Stimulation causes the foot to lift and stabilises the ankle when the foot is returned to the ground.
4. What is the benefit of using an XFT-2001 Foot Drop System?
Dorsiflexion (foot-lift) and eversion (turning out of the foot) in swing phase of gait produces:
l Improved ground clearance
l Reduced tripping and falls
l Reduced compensatory movements such as hip hitching or circumduction (swing the leg out sideways)
l Reduced effort of walking
l Reduced spasticity in the calf and quadriceps muscle
l Increased walking speed
l Heel strike with eversion
l Improves the position of the foot in weight bearing resulting in greater stability in stance
Regular use of the XFT-2001 Foot Drop System will give:
l Greater walking range of mobility
l Greater safety, confidence and independence while walking
l Long term therapeutic benefit resulting in improved unaided walking
5. Who Can Benefit from FES ?
l Stroke
l Multiple sclerosis (MS)
l Spinal cord injury, T12 and above (SCI)
l Parkinson's disease
l Cerebral palsy (CP)
l Head injury (HI)
l Familial or hereditary spastic paraparesis (F or HSP)
l Other conditions affecting the spinal cord or brain
The most common use of FES is for the correction of dropped foot. If you have other problems that affect walking, other muscles can also be stimulated, for example to improve the movement of the knee or hip whilst walking.
Electrical stimulation can also be used to strengthen and re-educate the movement of other muscles for example in the hand, arm or shoulder.
PLEASE NOTE: FES is not suitable for lower motor neuron conditions. This is where the nerve that runs from the spinal cord to the muscle is damaged. This is the case in conditions such as:
l Peripheral nerve lesions
l Poliomyelitis (Polio)
l Motor neuron disease
l Guillain-Barre syndrome
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