Leg/Foot Help - 'FES'

After a stroke, many survivors develop 'dropped foot syndrome'. This is where the muscles and foot aren't being stimulated, so your foot drags and you can't lift the front of your foot when you are trying to walk.

Research at (click) Salisbury Hospital has found that by supplying a small electrical stimulus to the relevant nerve(s), the relevant muscle(s) can be stimulated. This is called Functional Electrical Stimulation or 'FES'.

The Peroneal Nerve is near the skin just below the knee. By attaching two electrodes, the nerve can be stimulated and muscles in the lower part of the leg and in the foot can be activated.

Please note that not everyone will benefit from this treatment and assessments are carried out to assess your suitability.

If you are likely to benefit from the 'FES' you may be 'fitted' with a small portable 'stimulator', electrodes and a foot switch.

In one scenario it operates as follows:
You put you're (affected) foot on the floor. This 'closes' the foot switch and activates the stimulator. A small current is sent to the electrodes which in turn stimulate the nerve and muscles. Your foot then lifts and the current stops because the foot switch is now 'open'. When your foot returns to the floor the cycle is repeated.