Experience of clinical use of the Odstock dropped foot stimulator

The Odstock dropped foot stimulator (ODFS) is a simple functional electrical stimulation (FES) device for the correction of dropped foot. Improved reliability, fine control of stimulation parameters, and careful application and follow-up have let to 86% compliance. Data on 56 patients (50 patients with hemiplegia, 5 patients with multiple sclerosis, and 1 patient with spinal cord injury) who have used the system for between 6 and 18 months are presented and show a statistically significant increase in walking speed with the stimulator at 3 months of 14% (p < 0.001); decreased effort of walking, measured as physiological cost index (PCI), of 37% (p < 0.001); and statistically significant improvement in functional mobility tests and questionnaires. No statistically significant carryover was seen although 3 patients had sufficient improvement in active ankle control and gait parameters to no longer need the stimulator. Six patients who used the stimulator all day every day had a problem with skin irritation, which we have not yet been able to solve. Two patients discontinued use after experiencing increased spasticity in the calf.