FES Stimulation:Is it safe?

[ladydiana_nys]

If a sci-nurse could find me the answer; I am a T-9 incomplete.I am thinking about
FES , and I want to know if there could be any complications. I use an AFO for a foot drop. However my foot drop is not severe.I have strength in my left leg, just not enough strength to lift my foot with out afo assistance.Will FES due any damage to nerves that have somehow reconnected?will there be any pain from treatment?

Diana Clark

[Wise Young]

Lady, let me start the answer and perhaps our SCI-Nurses can add to it.

1. FES is safe, if applied properly. Many people use commercial devices to stimulate their muscles. These devices usually have limited currents and voltages. You should of course get guidance from professionals before using FES.

2. Pain. The amount of pain of course depends on the level of stimulation. People with reduced or no sensations often can crank up the stimulus levels while people with incomplete injuries and some preserved sensations cannot use such high currents. The pain comes from the passage of electrical current across the skin, stimulating skin receptors.

3. AFO and FES. AFO is very commonly used. There are a number of commercial devices available with portable FES units that stimulate the muscle of the foot to lift on heel-strike while walking.

Wise.

[ladydiana_nys]

dr. young, I wanted to let you know that I have started doing electrical stimulation with a physical therapist on Dec. 18th. my first session was great. at least i felt it was. the electrical stimuli was at 25% i believe he said and it picked up my foot. there was however a a tighteness or something to that effect, but needless to say I am positive as well as my therapist that this will help my drop foot. I hope to be brace free by summer

Diana Clark

[Wise Young]

That is great. Let us know what happens. Wise.

[littlebear]

Be careful purchasing your own FES equipment, try it out a competant facility first. A friend of ours mortgaged their home to buy their own FES bike and the thing interfered with their "Bac" pump. They had to have surgery to install a new pump, their home is morgaged and they have a very expensive FES lawn ornament.