The walkaide^® functional electrical stimulation system - A novel therapeutic approach for foot drop in central nervous system disorders

Foot drop is the inability to voluntarily dorsiflex the ankle during the swing phase of gait. Foot drop decreases gait quality, limits mobility, increases fall risk, and greatly increases energy expenditure during walking. Traditionally, foot drop is treated with passive dorsiflexion support by an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) but today, functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices are available to promote comfortable, effective active dorsiflexion during gait for patients with central nervous system (CNS) causes of foot drop. The WalkAide^® FES System's unique control system, with tilt sensors to trigger electrical stimulation during the swing phase, can help normalise gait and thus optimise safety, cosmesis and energy efficiency in people with stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and a wide range of other CNS disorders.