Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone came up with an alternative to the AFO for foot drop? Well, someone has. In fact, in the past few years, a couple of companies have developed high tech devices which not only relieve the symptoms of footdrop and regain mobility, but for some people, they also help remediate the underlying condition. For those who have had to wear an AFO or watch a loved one struggle with an uncomfortable AFO, this is welcome news.

In the past two years, BioNess and Neutronics have both released electronic devices that help individuals with foot drop regain lost mobility and recapture a more normal gait pattern. Both Neurotronic’s Walkaide and BioNess’s NESS L300 use sophisticated advanced technology utilizing sensors and functional electrical stimulation to restore typical nerve-to-muscle signals in the leg and foot, effectively lifting the foot at the appropriate time. Both are non-invasive and indicated for treatment of foot drop in patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, and incomplete spinal cord injury.

For a demonstration of Walkaide, see Walkaide video, and for more information on NESS L300 Foot Drop System, see NESS L300 Foot Drop System. Many major rehabilitation hospitals and centers are now utilizing these high tech approaches. According to patient reports, they are easy to operate and can be utilized in the clinic and at home after being programmed by a therapist. Both are available with a physician script. Talk with your physician or physical therapist to determine if you are a good candidate for these new devices and see if the limitations in mobility and independence due to foot drop can be a thing of the past for you or a loved one.