History of FES

Torpedo fish, capable of generating substantial electric shocks of 100-150 volts were recommended as therapeutic agents which were applied to the head to relieve headaches and placed under the feet to cure arthritis.

Static electricity was being used to treat paralysis

Invention of the Leyden jar – extended the use of electricity by providing the ability to store quantities of charge for later use

First reports of linked muscle contraction to electrical stimulation of the nerve and confirmed in 1799 by Volta

The importance of the rate of increase of stimulating current was observed by Ritter

Duchenne de Boulogne discovered the “localised electrisation” over specific muscles contributed to Duchenne being labeled as the “father of electrotherapy”

Michael Faraday advanced electrical hardware which led to the many devices used in electrotherapeutics today

The introduction of electricity into muscles was recommended as a diagnostic tool

Madame and Louis Lapicque noted that time and intensity were both important factors for electrotherapy

Adrian mapped the strength/duration curves for health and diseased muscle

Patent applied for first bionic FES system and granted in 1956 – a wearable battery-powered walking activator

Functional Electronic Stimulation was first used was originally referred to as Functional Electrotherapy by W.T. Liberson

The term Functional Electrical Stimulation was introduced by Moe and Post.

Professors Nightingale and Glanville start FES treatment in Southampton Hospital. OML clinic building is named after Professor Glanville.

FES work started in The Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre, Salisbury District Hospital

Development of first ODFS – Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator, named after the hospital which was then named Odstock Hospital.

37 patients seen with a variety of neurological conditions causing a drop foot. This research was funded by the Department of Health

Started looking at the effect of FES on hand function following a stroke

Clinical service started following the article in The Independent

First ever trial of drop foot system

Development and Evaluation Committee (DEC) approval for Odstock drop foot system ODFS.

started selling FES devices to other treatment centres in the UK

Odstock Medical Limited (OML) was established

Introduction of ODFS (Odstock drop foot system) Pace

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for FES introduced

ODFS Pace XL launched (wireless foot switch option)

OML Leg Cuff (easy application of electrodes)

It is estimated that 20,000 patients have used OML Stimulators