Index - Functional Electrical Stimulation Fes - Neurological Rehabilitation - Treatments

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Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a treatment modality used by experienced clinicians at Physio.co.uk in order to increase muscle strength and improve functional ability following a neurological injury. FES provides an electrical current causing the muscles to contract and the limb to move. The current is given to the muscles through gel electrodes which are worn on the skin. Your physiotherapist will show you the best place to wear the electrodes depending on which joint you are trying to move.

FES is most commonly worn on the lower limb to improve walking or on the upper limb to improve a reaching activity such as drinking from a cup.

Above: Functional electrical stimulation assessment by a neurological physiotherapist

Some individuals who have experienced an injury to the central nervous system have difficulty walking as they are unable to lift their toes effectively. This is known as dropped foot and it can be improved by wearing FES to pull the toes upwards when walking. Successful use of FES will help to improve how you walk and the distance you are able to walk before you get tired. It will also strengthen the muscles, reduce the effort involved in walking and enable you to walk a little quicker.

Other individuals may have weakness in the upper limb which means they are unable to carry or lift objects with their hand. FES can be used to strengthen the muscles in the upper limb enabling the individual to drink from a cup, comb their hair or hold a washcloth. FES can be worn during completing a functional activity or it can be strengthening the muscles while you rest.

At Physio.co.uk, our neurological physiotherapist’s will carry out an in depth neurological assessment to determine if you are appropriate to try FES. There are several types of FES available from different companies including Bioness, Odstock and Walkaide. Your neurological physiotherapist will be able to discuss the advantages of each type of electrical stimulation and help you to decide which is the most useful unit for you.

If you would like to find out more about functional electrical stimulation and would like to speak to a specialist neurological physiotherapist or book an appointment, please contact us today on 0330 088 7800 or alternatively book an appointment online today.

You can also acess the following pages on FES for more information: