Three-Year Follow-Up of an Implanted Functional Electrical Stimulation System for Upright Mobility in a Child with a Thoracic Level Spinal Cord Injury
By Betz, Randal R., MD; Johnston, Therese E., MS, PT; Smith, Brian T., MS; Mulcahey, M.J., MS, OTR/L; McCarthy, James J., MD; Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 345-350Publication Date: Winter 2002
Study conducted to compare the use of a functional electrical stimulation system (FES) with the use of knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFO) for upright mobility over a three-year period in a child with a spinal cord injury (SCI). A 13-year-old boy with a T8 complete SCI participated in the study. The internal components of the NeuroControl Corporation’s Freehand System were implanted into the participant’s lower extremities. Epimysial electrodes were implanted bilaterally into the gluteus medius and quadriceps muscles, and intramuscular electrodes were implanted bilaterally into the gluteus maximus and posterior fibers of the adductor magnus. The electrode leads were tunneled under the skin to the internal stimulator receiver in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. After training and at annual intervals, independence and timeliness in completing seven upright mobility acitivities, as well as stimulated muscle strength, were assessed with FES and KAFO. The results demonstrated that FES could provide function equal to or faster than KAFO in a child with T8 complete SCI, and that performance with the FES system can remain stable for at least three years.
Assistive Products Discussed: NEUROCONTROL FREEHAND SYSTEM
Published by: American Paraplegia Society (Website:http://www.apssci.org)
