New Device Helping MS, Stroke Patients Walk

For stroke patients, or people living with multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, one of the most difficult, but very common, side effects of their condition is paralysis of part of the body. But News

Wednesday, October 17th 2007, 9:13 am

By: News On 6

For stroke patients, or people living with multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, one of the most difficult, but very common, side effects of their condition is paralysis of part of the body. But News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports, a new device is helping get some patients back on their feet.

For Lorrie Hemerly, a short walk with her husband, Jeff, is reason to celebrate. Just a few months ago, it was impossible to keep up. Multiple sclerosis had rendered her right leg nearly useless.

"It was one of my first questions when they told me I had MS. Was I going to wind up in a wheelchair?" said MS patient Lorrie Hemerly.

But now, physical therapists are using a new wireless computer-controlled device to help people with central nervous system disorders. Lorrie suffers from what is known as "foot drop." She's not able to raise her toes while she's walking. That's where the "NESS" L-300 comes in. "NESS" stands for neuromuscular electrical stimulation system. The NESS has three parts, a sensor inside the user's shoe with a transmitter that is clipped onto the heel, the brace at the knee, and a small, hand-held control unit.

When Lorrie steps down on her heel, the transmitter sends a wireless signal to her brace. Then, two electrodes send a timed, electrical pulse to the nerves that control the paralyzed foot.

"That is the one that you're stimulating to get the foot up and out during what's called the 'swing phase,' when you want the leg to be able to move and through without issue," physical therapist Kathy Slezak said.

Lorrie can control the "NESS." When she's tired, her foot starts to drag, so she can increase the electrical stimulation. But the biggest benefit? Lorrie says the device has greatly increased her stability.

"It gives you a little bit more confidence too, that you can do a little bit more," said Hemerly.

Patients say they can feel the electrical charge going into their leg, but it is not painful, and they get used to it quickly.

Physical therapists say they've had the most success with patients who have paralysis on only one side of the body.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network in Pennsylvania is the only in-patient beta testing site for the technology in the United States.

Watch the video: Computer-Controlled Device Helping People Walk Again