FES - Paralysed Muscles Electrical Stimulation Technique

FES is a device used to help with foot drop primarily of patients with upper motor neuron conditions.

It works by placing to electrode on the lower leg, these electrodes are connected to a foot switch and control box.

When the patients lifts there heel in preparation of swing phase the electrodes stimulate the muscle to help dorsiflex and invert the foot through swing phase, when the patients heel makes contact with the ground the switch is turned off.

This can be used particularly well with stroke, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis patients. However it doesn’t work for everyone and a thorough exam and trial period is often used to establish what device and/or settings would best work for the patient.