[Physiological reasoning and results of using the functional electrostimulation of muscles in pathological walking]

The ideology of a method of muscle electrostimulation (MES) in walking up and down the stairs is under discussion in the paper. It is pointed out that the above locomotor acts, which are based on the central innervation program, are principally similar; periods and zones of muscle excitation and inhibition during the locomotor cycle are specified; MES is shown to be a variety of phase muscle electrostimulation. A hypothesis is put forward on the MES significance in normalizing the locomotor skills. The main MES function are described, i.e. therapy, diagnostics and prognostication. The key indication for MES administration in pathological walking is defined, i.e. a deficit of the muscle function (DMF). A new method is suggested for DMF determination through examining the muscle-force moments estimated by mathematic modeling. The MES technique is shown to comprise 5 main stages: choice of corrected movements and muscle stimulation as well as setting-up of the amplitude and temporal MES parameters, of electrode parameters and of a stimulation regime in walking. Medical contraindications to MES stages of patients' rehabilitation are defined. The results of a successful treatment of above 6000 patients with different pathological conditions of the support-motor apparatus are summarized.