Biomechanics of functional electrical stimulation.

Patients with hemiplegia frequently have difficulty in walking due to lack of eversion and dorsiflexion capability of the foot. One method of treating these patients utilizes functional electrical stimulation (FES). The effect of FES on locomotion, co-ordination, proprioception and balance sense was assessed using instrumented gait analysis and a postural sway test. In general patients treated with FES showed either a marked improvement or very little change. Any improvement was reflected in postural sway and ankle control during locomotion. Changes in hip and knee control were insignificant.