Functional electrical stimuli

Hi there,

Has anyone used functional electrical stimulation for drop foot?

I have recently tried one and it worked on me, am on a waiting list for a loan one from hospital whilst waiting for a referral (waiting list 18 months) at the main centre to get my own.

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I have been wearing one for 25 years, so safe to say I think they are a brilliant bit of kit. Your GP can refer you for assessment to see if FES suits you.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) | MS Trust

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Yes, I used the WalkAide after a stroke. Helped with walking and reduced tripping. Needs some peroneal nerve function to work well. Try it during physio before buying.

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I’m on the waiting list and I’ve tried it. It may not be for everyone it’s not the most comfortable thing :smiling_face:

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Yes, I used it about 10 years ago when I first started having problems with foot Drop. Back then I had to stick two pads on each leg with wires that went up to a Control box that I clipped onto my belt it did work really well even if it was a bit of a Pfaff putting them on. I used them for three or four years until I had to use a wheelchair more often, and I know that since then the technology has really changed and I know that one of the newer types was like a cuff that you wore just below the knee back and didn’t need so many wires.

When I was trying to get the equipment the local health board refused to provide it saying that it wasn’t something that they had to do, so I worked with the MS Society in Cardiff and the campaign manager for the Society to lobby them and to get local politicians involved and they did actually change the policy and agree to fund for up to 200 people.

Good luck with it

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Thank you for responding. I have an assessment for this at the beginning of August so i am a little bit apprehensive!

Thank you for your response> I have an upcoming appointment, I am a bit apprehensive! Nervous about the whole thing to be honest.I have drop foot on my left foot and cannot walk very far before stopping

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Good luck on the assessment, don’t forget if it doesn’t suit there are also orthotics, having just come back from physio I am also going to be referred for this as the waiting list for the “borrowed” FES while waiting for the owned one also looks a long wait. I am however a bit better off than some, I can walk okay ish until about the 20 min mark at a time then it really kicks in

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