Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Drop foot is a common problem following neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain injury and incomplete spinal cord injury and consists of the inability to lift the foot in the swing phase of the gait cycle.Drop foot is frequently associated with spasticity and complex movement problems affecting the whole body and can easily result in tripping and falling while moving around.Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) devices are designed to improve gait and reduce fall risk in patients with a drop foot by their orthotic effect.Typically, the peroneal nerve is stimulated using surface electrodes at its most superficial point, where it passes over the head of the fibular bone.The peroneal nerve stimulation induces activity of the tibialis anterior muscle, the toe extensors, and the peroneal muscles, causing dorsiflexion and eversion of the ankle and foot.The stimulation is synchronised to the gait usually by a pressure sensitive heel switch.When weight is taken from the switch, electrical stimulation is given.In this way, peroneal FES results in an improvement of the walking pattern, speed, and distance, and also reduces the risk of tripping and falling.
Author: Frank Berenpas
Language: English
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3110401651