People who suffer from stroke, brain injuries or other neurological conditions often suffer from drop foot. Now, a non invasive treatment is helping to get people walking again and Roxanne Stein reports, that in some cases, results occur immediately.
"I went to bed and woke up and lost the left side of my body."
It was a real life nightmare for lynna blessing two years ago. Her diagnosis: Multiple sclerosis. "It's a horrible feeling."
When Lynna lost feeling in her left side, she suffered "drop foot" a common side effect of MS. "The foot does not work the way it's supposed to. Your foot becomes weak you drag the foot."
For Lynna, a loss of control. "I would fall." "I was in a wheelchair."
These days, Lynna is walking on her own because of this small but powerful unit: The Bioness, l-300.
It's being used at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Center in Delray Beach. Phyiscal therapist Kristen Polyak programs it to suit each patient.
"This is home base for the Bioness l 300. It's a PDA for the therapist to program and that controls the remote controls that the patient has that helps to improve the drop foot."
"It stimulates the nerve in the foot to the DF muscle which controls the foot coming up in the walking."
Kristin programs the Bioness l 300, and that sends a signal to the "remote" that Lynna wears.
"It gets them to strengthen the muslce and allows them to walk properly."
It's given Lynna her independence back. "It's amazing." "Having the bioness allow me to separate from the disease even further."
Most insurance does not cover it. It costs about 6200 to purchase. If you think you might benefit from the bioness unit, there is a special screening for potential candidates.
Free Bioness Seminar and Screening
New technology for people living with Stroke, MS, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury or Foot Drop
What: Join Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital and Delray Medical Center for a free Bioness seminar and screening for the NESS L300 and the NESS H200.
When: September 17, 2009 at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
For a screening time, RSVP to Teressa Dykeman-Diaz at (561) 495-3024 or e-mail questions to
teressa.dykeman-diaz@tenethealth.com
Where: Pinecrest @ Delray Medical Center
5360 Linton Blvd.
Delray Beach, FL 33484
Contact: Teressa Dykeman-Diaz at (561) 495-3024 or teressa.dykeman-diaz@tenethealth.com
