Experience of Clinical Use of the Odstock DroppedFoot Stimulator

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Abstract
The Odstock dropped foot stimulator (ODFS)is a simple functional electrical stimulation (FES) devicefor the correction of dropped foot. Improved reliability,fine control of stimulation parameters, and carefulapplication and follow‐up have led to 86% compliance. Data on56 patients (50 patients with hemiplegia, 5 patients withmultiple sclerosis, and 1 patient with spinal cord injury)who have used the system for between 6 and 18 months arepresented and show a statistically significant increase inwalking speed with the stimulator at 3 months of 14%(p < 0.001); decreased effort of walking, measured asphysiological cost index (PCI), of 37% (p < 0.001); andstatistically significant improvement in functional mobility testsand questionnaires. No statistically significant carryoverwas seen although 3 patients had sufficient improvementin active ankle control and gait parameters to no longerneed the stimulator. Six patients who used the stimulatorall day every day had a problem with skin irritation, whichwe have not yet been able to solve. Two patientsdiscontinued use after experiencing increased spasticity in thecalf.