Electrical impulse device counteracts foot drop in MS patients

An MS patient from Ireland has become one of the first to use the 'MyGait' device - which uses electrical impulses to counteract 'foot drop', an associated symtom which affects walking.

Anna O’Connor is a 56 year old Mutiple Sclerosis patient from Cork, Ireland, whose symptoms include foot drop, a condition caused by weakness in the leg muscles that help move the ankle. This weakness resulted in her right foot scuffing the ground at each step.

Anna has now become the first patient in Ireland to be fitted with MyGait, an advanced Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device by mobility group Ottobock, which has allowed her to regain some of her activity levels.

The device works by applying small electrical impulses to the nerves in the affected muscles, with the nerve then stimulating the muscle into movement, lifting the foot from the ground at each step. More than one muscle group can also be stimulated using a second channel. This makes it possible to provide additional support when walking.

“MS disrupts the neural communication to the muscles, causing weakness,” states Lynn Vale, clinical specialist at Ottobock. “People with MS that suffer with foot drop are more vulnerable to tripping and falling. Walking also uses more energy and people may alter their gait to compensate, commonly lifting their leg higher and swinging it to the side. In Anna’s case, FES was the perfect solution. She has adapted to it with ease and you can see the confidence it has given her to get back out there and enjoy life.”

Anna said: “When I was first fitted with the MyGait system, my foot twitched, then it raised - I was amazed how easy it was to use. I couldn’t believe there was something out there that could help me; it was a real starting point to becoming active again.”

Anna adds, “Ottobock have been terrific throughout the process; the team have given me great advice and been there for me along the journey. The MyGait system just makes sense to anybody suffering from drop foot like me. MS has taken a lot from me, but I won’t let it defeat me. Gaining some of my mobility back means the world to me.”