A WOMAN who had to cope with a ‘drop foot’ following a stroke has become the first person in the UK to benefit from a new electronic implant that makes walking much easier.
Fourteen years ago Lida Litras, then 33 and a single mother of two, suffered a devastating stroke.
She was in hospital for five months and afterwards struggled to remain independent because of drop foot, which caused her to trip easily.
Now, life has suddenly become much better for Lida, thanks to the ActiGait implant from mobility experts Ottobock Healthcare.
External electrodes can cause irritation and pain, with the electrical charge causing skin damage, but Lida can now walk more naturally and without pain.
The inconvenience of wires and electrodes that are familiar with existing drop foot solutions are no longer an issue.
Lida said: “Since the ActiGait implant I can walk effortlessly and have no pain whatsoever, it’s a million times better than anything I’ve had before.
“Before ActiGait, I had to wear baggy clothes and wasn’t able to wear dresses or skirts due to the embarrassment of visible wires and electrodes on my leg from my old drop foot solution, which made me feel unfeminine.
“Now I have the confidence to go out, dress the way I want – and I feel normal again. I can look forward to the summer and wear my dresses and sandals again.”
Dr Salim Ghoussayni, at Ottobock Healthcare, said: “We’re delighted Lida has experienced such life-changing benefits.
“This neurostimulation device provides a real alternative to restrictive and uncomfortable treatments such as orthotic splints and external stimulators.
“Lida now has the confidence to go where she pleases and to dress how she wants, and is enjoying a significantly higher quality of life.”
What is drop foot?
Drop foot sufferers are unable to activate the muscles in the front of their leg or raise their foot to clear the floor when walking.
The condition can be caused by multiple sclerosis or incomplete spinal cord injuries as well as stroke.
Drop foot can leave sufferers with complex mobility challenges, low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.
Every year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke of which one-third will be left disabled and will require rehabilitation.
ActiGait substitutes missing central nervous system signals and provides the required nerve trigger to allow dorsiflexion of the foot.
It consists of four separate components – the implant, the control unit, the antenna and heel switch.
The heel switch detects when the foot leaves the ground and triggers the control unit to stimulate.
This stimulus is transmitted by the antenna to the implanted electrode which activates the muscles of the lower leg and allows the foot and toes to lift properly during walking, improving walking speed, endurance and stability.
www.ottobock.co.uk
