The wired system is available on the NHS. There are NICE foot drop guidelines and you can make a request from your GP, MS Nurse, Neurologist, Community physiotherapist to refer you to your local NHS gait lab for an FES assessment. 

There are certain criteria that will determine whether your referral is accepted.  Whilst there may be a waiting list for this service, you may receive your own wired FES walking system (depending on the outcome of your assessment with the Gait Lab). 

Here are some top tips of what you can be doing whilst you are wait listed for your NHS FES assessment:

  • It would be beneficial to make sure you are safe with walking whilst you wait. If you do not have an ankle foot orthosis, then contact your treating Neuro physiotherapist to help you be fitted with an ankle foot orthosis. If you are not able to get one from your local physio, you can purchase off the shelf options like Ossur Foot-ups or Push Aquea foot splints or light weight ankle foot splints online
  • Stretch your calf daily or bi daily - use a towel or yoga belt to stretch your calf in lying or stretch your calf in a lunge standing position 
  • Consider the impact that increased tone in your calf may affect the outcome of your FES Assessment. If you do have increased tone, ask your GP to prescribe spasticity medication to help you with managing your increased tone in your affected leg or calf.
  • If the spasticity medication is not working or is not suitable ask your GP or neurologist or treating community physio to refer you to the spasticity clinic where more specific advice and support can be provided.

If you want to get started right away, then arrange your FES assessment or review today.

Find out more about our FES Rental scheme where you can hire your own system for as little as £250 per week. 

A comprehensive FES Neuro Physio assessment with your treating Clinical Specialist Neuro Physio in our clinic will help you determine which device would be most suitable and easiest for your use. 

We hope that you have found this information useful. Please feel free to share this post with your friends or someone you know who will benefit from reading this post. 

Remember: It's your time now to take action towards your next mobility goal!