• Patients
    • What is FES
    • Who it can help
    • Treatment Options
    • Referral Options
    • Treatment pathway – UK
    • Clinics
    • PD Warrior Classes
    • Research/Evidence
    • Testimonials
    • NHS Funding
    • Information Pack
    • FAQ
  • Healthcare Professionals
    • What is FES
    • Who it can help
    • Treatment Options
    • Referral options
    • Training courses
    • Forms
    • Treatment pathway – UK
    • Research/Evidence
    • Knowledge Base
    • NHS Funding
    • Become a FES Practitioner
    • Information Pack
    • FAQ
  • Products
    • Stimulators
    • Electrodes
    • Electrode leads
    • Footswitches
    • Footswitch leads
    • Insoles
    • Accessories
    • Batteries
    • Constraint Mitten (CMIT)
  • Contact

!Please Note: Visit us at Neuro Convention - Birmingham NEC - 22nd & 23rd March 2023 - Stand NG1

Find out more
+
!
  • About
  • Community
  • Patients
    • What is FES
    • Who it can help
    • Treatment Options
    • Referral Options
    • Treatment pathway – UK
    • Clinics
    • PD Warrior Classes
    • Research/Evidence
    • Testimonials
    • NHS Funding
    • Information Pack
    • FAQ
  • Healthcare Professionals
    • What is FES
    • Who it can help
    • Treatment Options
    • Referral options
    • Training courses
    • Forms
    • Treatment pathway – UK
    • Research/Evidence
    • Knowledge Base
    • NHS Funding
    • Become a FES Practitioner
    • Information Pack
    • FAQ
  • Products
    • Stimulators
    • Electrodes
    • Electrode leads
    • Footswitches
    • Footswitch leads
    • Insoles
    • Accessories
    • Batteries
    • Constraint Mitten (CMIT)
  • Contact

Odstock Medical

FAQ

Home > Healthcare Professionals > FAQ

General

Is there FES patient information I can direct my patient to? +

Ask your patient to visit our information page or request an information pack here and have a look at patient FAQ page.

Where can a patient receive FES treatment? +

We provide FES treatments with OML devices at our clinic in Salisbury or via our OML clinics around the UK. Explore the location of our clinics.

All referrals need to be made directly to OML using the attached form

Can FES be used with someone who has a baclofen pump fitted? +

We have not had any reported problems with using FES on the lower limbs for clients with implanted baclofen pumps, however as with all implanted devices we advise that clinicians should seek advice from the manufacture of the implanted device or ask the team who reviews the implanted device to perform tests to demonstrate that FES is safe with the device in situ.

Can I see videos of how FES works? +

Yes of course! Click here.

Do I need to attend an OML course in order to purchase equipment? +

In order to purchase an ODFS® Pace/Pace XL or O2CHS (two-channel) stimulator, you have to attend the relevant course.

You can purchase the Microstim 2V2 or the C-MIT without attending any courses.

All information on OML FES training courses can be found here

How do I find out about new developments from OML? +

The best way to keep up to date with our developments is through this website.

We will publish details of new products when they are available.

OML patients may also be informed at their clinic appointment or by letter.

Clinicians can sign-up to our newsletter which includes our latest product developments.

What are the contraindications for FES? +

Please see our article on referral criteria and contraindications.

How to get started with FES +

Read the information about how to become a FES practitioner and OML FES training courses

Still need further information? +

Please visit the Knowledge base

Product related

Can I browse or order the available OML FES products? +

View our products

How long should electrodes last? +

The manufacturer claims that the electrodes are good for about 30 applications. So using the stimulator every day means you should get about 1 months use.

After using the electrodes we advise to wet the electrodes a little, before putting them back on the ‘ON’ side of the plastic and sealing them in the original packaging or an airtight container.

How do I make sure the footswitch stays in place? +

Footswitches are supplied with double sided adhesive tape on each side.

Remove the plastic cover to expose the adhesive and attached to the underside of a cork or solid foam insole.

We do not recommend soft foam insoles as these tend to move within the shoe.

If the switch is not fully secure, additional adhesive tape can be used.

For more information, see below:

Footswitch connections

Attaching a footswitch without shoes

How can a patient prevent skin irritation? +

In our clinical experience most patients can use FES regularly without any problems with their skin.  A small number of patients (about 2%) can have some skin irritation problems.  In order to avoid skin problems beneath the electrodes it s good practice to educate your patients in how to look after their skin and electrodes as follows:

Skin

  • Keep skin clean
  • Do not shave the skin. Excess hair can be trimmed with scissors or a beard trimmer.
  • Avoid long hot baths using bubble bath, try using soap free cleansers
  • If moisturising apply at night and wipe off in morning

Electrodes

  • Use electrodes as recommended by OML
  • Clean electrodes with water after each use
  • Replace electrodes, approx. every month

If you feel your patients are particularly at risk of skin irritation, try setting them up with symmetrical waveforrm.  This reduces the concentration of stimulation over the active electrode and can help with skin problems.

For further information on skin irritation advice click on links below:

Skin irritation information sheet for clinicians

Skin irritation case study

What should I do if my patient has skin irritation beneath the electrodes? +

A small number of patients can suffer from irritation beneath the electrodes.

Prevention of skin problems is better than cure, please read “How do I prevent my patient from getting skin irritation?”

If skin irritation does occur, we recommend these treatments:

  • Discontinue stimulation at that electrode site until the skin has healed, try moving the electrodes to avoid the skin irritation and consider a different electrode position.
  • Use Eumovate cream for one week which can be bought “over the counter”.
  • If problem continues seek medical advice, as a cream with a stronger steroid content may be required.
  • Change to symmetrical waveform.
  • Change to blue pals electrodes, if not already using them.
  • Consider referral to a Dermatologist if skin irritation persists.

Please also refer to previous FAQ “How do I prevent my patient from getting skin irritation?”.

For further information or advice for patients on managing skin irritation click on link below:

Skin irritation information sheet for users

Are there any regular maintenance requirements for ODFS®? +

Our stimulators do not require any regular servicing or calibration.

They have a two year manufacturer’s warranty and should be returned to us for repair if a problem occurs.

If a stimulator becomes faulty due to damage by the user, we will charge for any repairs required.

The LINQ and insoles have a one year manufacturing warranty.

How to join the PACE XL & LINQ (wireless footswitch) +

Watch Video

How to maintain the electrode pads to get the best out of them +

Watch Video

What do I need to do if I think I need to send my device in for repair? +

Before sending in your device for repair, check fault finding section in the manual.  This may help you identify what the problem is and possible solutions for the problem.  If you are unable to solve the problem yourself, please send the device (remove batteries) back to us or your local distributor, placing it securely in a padded envelope or similar protective packaging.  Please include any electrode or footswitch leads and footswitch.

Please include a written note describing the problem and remember to include your contact details and the name of the clinic you received the stimulator from.  If the device is out of its warranty period, we will contact you and advise you of the cost of the repair.

How to change the mode of the FES device (walking to exercise) +

Watch Video

What upgrades and accessories are available? +
OML Leg cuff

The leg cuff is intended to improve the convenience of using the ODFS Pace (XL). This device is a semi ridged band that fits around the leg.  Its inner surface is Velcro receptive and is used to carry Velcro backed electrodes.  The ODFS Pace (XL) can be carried on the outside of the cuff.  The cuff can make putting on and taking off of the system quicker and easier and can aid electrode placement accuracy for some FES users.

OML LINQ

This is a small radio link that can be used to replace the footswitch lead. The small pebble shaped module can be clipped to the shoe or warn tucked in to the sock. The LINQ requires that and ODFS Pace is upgraded to an ODFS Pace XL and this is possible for newer versions of the ODFS Pace only.

OML Remote

This device is a remote-control unit for the ODFS Pace XL. The device allows the user to start and stop stimulation, adjust the intensity and change between walking and exercise mode.  It also enables two ODFS Pace to be controlled by one footswitch connected to an OML LINQ for applications such as bilateral dropped foot or dropped foot with an additional muscle to control the hip or knee.

https://odstockmedical.com/products/oml-remote/

 

 

 

Other accessories

OML stock a large range of electrode and footswitch leads, footswitches of different lengths and electrodes. Please see a product section.

Healthcare Professionals

In this section

  • Information Pack
  • What is FES
  • Who it can help
  • Treatment Options
  • Referral options
  • Training courses
  • Forms
    • Enquiry Form
    • Feedback Form
    • Funding Form
    • Information Pack
    • Ordering Form
    • Referral Form
    • Training Course Form
  • Treatment pathway – UK
  • Research/Evidence
  • NHS Funding
  • Become a FES Practitioner
  • FAQ

Request our information pack!

Request Now
  • Odstock Medical Ltd.
    The National Clinical FES Centre
    Salisbury District Hospital
    Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8BJ
  • +44 (0)1722 439 540
  • enquiries@odstockmedical.com

Our Opening Hours

Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm Sat - Sun: Closed

Newsletter Signup

For Healthcare professionals to stay in the know with what Odstock Medical Ltd is doing!

Signup Today

About Odstock Medical Ltd

  • Who we help
  • How we help
  • History
  • Meet the team
  • Job opportunities
  • Contact

Help & Information

  • Patients
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • FES Products
  • Knowledge Base
  • International
  • Community
  • Accessibility

© 2023 Odstock Medical|Website by blue bee

  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Notice
  • Conflict Minerals Statement
  • Modern Slavery Statement