!Please Note: Join us at Kidz to Adultz South - Tuesday 12th May - Farnborough (stand P18)
How can FES help me?
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is often used to help lift your feet and toes and can make your walking feel easier and safer. It can also help to stretch tight muscles and get your heel down when you walk.
FES may help people with cerebral palsy, stroke, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and hereditary spastic paraparesis.
For more detailed information on FES and conditions that it might help, please visit https://odstockmedical.com/patients/
How does FES work?
The FES box joins to a footswitch which is put in your shoe. The footswitch turns the FES on and off at the right time when you are walking.
FES can also be used to help exercise other muscles in the leg. It can be used on one leg or both, depending on your walking and what you and your FES Physiotherapist feels is most suitable for you.
FES may also be placed on the arm to help strengthen weak muscles, relax tight muscles (with spasticity), or reduce pain. It will often be used alongside other treatments like physiotherapy, occupational therapy or splinting. suitable for you.
What will FES feel like?
FES normally makes your arm or leg feel tingly. Most people become less aware of the sensation as they use it. FES should not hurt and if you do not like the feeling of it, we will stop.
What will happen at the appointment?
1. At your first appointment, your Physiotherapist will ask you and your parent more about your medical condition and how you move. We will ask for a list of your medications and details of any splints or treatments that you have.
2. We will look at your strength and movement and if your treatment is for the leg, we will have a look at you walking. Please bring any aids that you normally use to walk.
3. We will explain FES to you and answer any questions that you or your parents have about it. We will then apply FES. We will do this slowly and stop if you want us to. If FES is helpful for you and we can get funding for you to use the device, we will give you the FES box to take home. We will teach you and your parents how to use it.
4. We will then book in extra appointments so that we can check how you are using FES and adjust any settings to help it work well for you. We will normally have four appointments in the first year after you begin treatment and appointments every six months after that. You or your parents can contact us between appointments if you have questions.
How often do I need to use FES?
You will normally need to use FES daily or several time per week for it to be effective. Your Physiotherapist will discuss when and how to wear it with you and your parents. If you wear splints, we will discuss when you should wear your splint and when you should wear the FES.
Parent of a FES User…
“The equipment has improved my son’s life endlessly. The staff have changed my life and supported a very frightened mum since the very first appointment.”
For further FES information please request a FES information pack
To start your FES journey please speak to a healthcare professional and ask for a FES referral