Sharp Chula Vista Offers New Foot Drop Treatment to Patients

Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center patients suffering from foot drop, a common complication of stroke, central nervous system injury and disorders like multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, have new hope for regaining muscle control thanks to the Bioness NESS L300™ Foot Drop System.  

"Foot drop is a problem for many patients, especially those who have suffered a stroke," said Silvia Rodriguez, lead outpatient physical rehabilitation therapist at Sharp Chula Vista. "The severity of foot drop varies, but patients with a greater form often have such trouble walking that they're afraid to participate in their favorite activities because of their risk for falls."  

Foot drop is a condition that causes weakness in patients' feet and ankles. When a patient who has foot drop walks, his or her foot drags and catches on the ground. For these patients, the NESS L300 offers the help they've been looking for. The system includes three components: a cuff that is worn around the lower leg, a sensor that detects different surfaces and walking speeds and a wireless control unit that is used to make adjustments to the system.  

Using advanced technology, low-level electrical impulses are sent through the cuff to the leg nerves, stimulating the leg muscles to lift the foot. The system's real-time technology senses changes in terrain and walking speed, so leg muscles are stimulated only when appropriate.  

The NESS L300 offers many benefits to patients, including improved steadiness while walking, increased range of motion and prevention of muscle loss. Additionally, the system can help retrain muscles to function on their own.  

Before the NESS L300, treatment for foot drop patients often included a cumbersome brace, called an ankle-foot orthosis, worn on the lower leg and foot to hold the foot and ankle in place. The NESS L300 takes this traditional treatment further with a leg cuff that is so comfortable and lightweight that it can be worn unnoticeably under most clothing and with most shoes.

For More Information
To learn more, please contact Sharp Chula Vista's Rehabilitation Department at 619-591-7900.

Last Updated: September 29, 2011