About Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
Injury to your brain or spinal cord by trauma, or the effects of a stroke or multiple sclerosis, can lead to a loss of movement or function, making it difficult to cope with everyday life. We can help you on your way to recovery – and in many cases regain lost function – with our innovative neurostimulation technology.
Functional electrical stimulation or FES is a treatment that applies small electrical charges to a muscle that has become paralysed or weakened due to damage to your brain or spinal cord. The electrical charge then stimulates the muscle to do what you want. Recommended by the Royal College of Physicians, FES is also approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), who have guidance sating FES can be offered routinely as a treatment option for people with foot drop (dorsiflexor weakness).
How do FES devices work?
FES can either work indirectly, with electrodes placed on the surface your skin, or directly on your nerves using implanted electrodes.
For drop foot, the FES device is usually worn as a cuff below the knee but can sometimes also consist of a thigh cuff. When you are standing and your foot is in contact with the floor, there is no stimulation. However when you start to walk a switch under your heel will detect that your foot is rising and transmit a wireless signal to the electrodes in the calf cuff to stimulate the nerves that go to the muscle that would normally lift the front of your foot. This provides a controlled lifting and swing of your foot and toes when you are walking. The result is a smoother, safer and faster gait, and a reduced risk of falling – so you can step out with confidence. The stimulation then stops again once your foot is in contact with the ground again.
FES solutions available from Ottobock.
Find your local FES Clinical Partner.
We have a selection of trained clinical FES partners throughout the UK who are able to assess you with either the L300 Go, L100 Go or H200. For a complete list please contact us using the form below.
See if FES is right for you or your loved one.
Complete the form below to find out more about our FES solutions and to book an assessment with one of our Clinical Partners.