Lower Extremity Paresis Patients Regain Mobility Using Advanced Foot Drop Treatment System

WellStar Kennestone Outpatient Rehabilitation Services recently acquired the Bioness L300 Foot Drop System, which is designed to aid patients who have lower extremity paresis following a stroke, brain or spinal cord injury improve their ability to walk more normally.

Using an advanced functional electrical stimulation (FES) system that sends low-level stimulation to the common peroneal nerve in the patient’s leg, the L300 system actually stimulates muscles to lift the foot during walking.  It also senses the patient’s foot positions, terrain changes and walking speed, allowing them to walk faster and farther.

“It’s another tool we can use for people with foot drop,” said Emily Lanham, physical therapist at WellStar Kennestone Outpatient Rehabilitation Services. “The great thing about it is that it provides stimulation for the muscle and the nerves as [the patient] walks. It really helps improve functional ability and the quality of the individual’s gait.”

Traditional foot drop treatment methods involve the use of a rigid, uncomfortable splint, known as an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), which also calls attention to the patient’s disability. The wireless L300 system, however, is designed to be worn under most clothing and with most shoes.

All WellStar Outpatient Rehabilitation Services’ physical therapists are certified in the use of this equipment. A physician’s order is required for therapy.

WellStar is the first health system in its five-county service area to offer this technology.
For more information, contact Tanas Ball, manager, WellStar Kennestone Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, at 770-793-7601 or tanas.ball@wellstar.org.