Overview
The FES service at the REU currently provides lower limb stimulation for the correction of dropped foot. FES is an effective treatment for dropped foot (reduced toe clearance during the swing phase of the gait cycle) due to an upper neurone lesion caused by conditions such as stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS).
FES applies electrical pulses to the common peroneal nerve typically through skin surface electrodes to elicit muscle activation (dorsiflexion) of the affected foot triggered using a switch under the heel. The benefits of FES include; improved mobility, reduction in both the amount of effort whilst walking and the likelihood of tripping and falling, promoting greater social integration and supporting employment, hence improving quality of life.
The guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2009 indicates that the procedure is safe and effective to be routinely offered as a treatment option provided that the patient understands what is involved and agrees to the treatment, and the results are monitored.
The service provides to the Swansea Bay University (SBU) Health Board and Hywel Dda Health Board. Referrals are accepted from Physiotherapists, Consultants and GPs, using the referral form below. Referral criteria can be found on the form. The service is funded for SBU Health Board, and funding is applied for on an individual basis to the appropriate Health Board.
Following confirmation of funding, the patient will attend four appointments in their first year and reviews in the subsequent years are bi-annual or annual. This results in 5 appointments for a patient’s first year and 1.5 appointments per year on average for subsequent years.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out by a Consultant and a Physiotherapist or Clinical Scientist. If FES is deemed appropriate the patient will attend clinics where a stimulation programme will be determined and the patient taught how to effectively use the device. Further appointments will then be made to review progress by video analysis and to make any necessary adjustments to stimulation or electrode positioning.
Equipment
The service uses equipment supplied by Odstock Medical. All consumables are provided by the services and the patient can request these by using the telephone number on the Contact Us page of in this section of the website.
Facilities
At the centre we have a specialised clinic room with an 8 metre walkway and fitted video cameras to capture and measure the patient’s gait. The gait assessment room has an additional 10 metre walkway with parallel bars used to visually assess the patient’s walking.
Further Information
Please visit the Odstock medical website for further resources.
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.