FES Bike in IL?

[Andy]

I am starting to get into the outpatient rehab kick. I have tried a bunch of stuff I have been interested in, but I still want to do the FES bike thing to see how that will do for spasms, etc. I am using Northwestern's RIC for rehab, but from what I gather they dont have a FES bike. Anyone know of one I can get on in the Chicagoland area?

[Misa1]

Andy, My bf has one of these babies in Oak Brook (south suburb). I looked up some info about this on the C. Reeve web site, and it said probably not to share these things since they are set individually. But could you ask your doctor and find out what settings you would use and if it would be safe--and maybe want to try it out, see if it is useful, if we are sure it would be safe?? And are you sure that RIC does not have one of these? Given the size and the quality of that place, I find it kind of hard to believe that they do not.

[-scott-]

Originally posted by Misa1:

it said probably not to share these things since they are set individually. But could you ask your doctor and find out what settings you would use and if it would be safe...
from what I know about these bikes is that they are safe to use for multiple individuals. The Neuro Institute has 4 they use with several patients of different levels & injuries. You are however correct in playing it safe... before using it, it is very important that proper direction is given by someone who understands how it works. While FES is a good thing, if it's used incorrectly, I assume it could result in some pretty negative effects... hairline fractures, etc. Just talk to a knowledgeable doc or a PT first.

[Andy]

Misa, I asked around at RIC (I am doing outpatient PT there now) and while they know what it is, they dont have one. I suspect my Dr. wouldnt know what setting to use either if they arent using one there. How did your bf come to get his bike?

[Misa1]

andy, the website for the company that he got it from is www.musclepower.com (http://www.musclepower.com) (not a bad title, I think http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif ). he said that the company is small, and that someone came out to see him and was very nice. The people at the company tell you what the settings would be. It was about 15K and insurance usually does not cover it, but I am sure you know that already. When my bf was looking into getting one, he did try out someone else's in the area before he bought it (his occupational therapist knew a person that had one). It does seem to give him a good work out, if his windedness is any measure, and I think it def. helps out with leg spasms. so if you wanted to try his machine, he would have to check with his parents first, as it is at their house.

[chick]

Andy, have you found out more info on the FES at RIC?? I wanted ask them about it since I thought they would have one.

I was also wondering if FES would help with my hip problem (dislocation)nor make it worse??