Re: E-Stim device / walk-aide device for foot drop / TENS

[Guest guest]

,

Contraindications of Walk - Aide includes people presenting with the following

peripheral nervous system conditions will NOT benefit from WalkAide: (see 4th

one)

Secondary complications of back, hip or knee surgery

Traumatic accidents to the leg

Sciatica

Peripheral neuropathy

Spinal stenosis

Post-polio syndrome

Guillain-Barre

http://www.walkaide.com/en-US/MedicalProfessionals/Pages/Indications.aspx

Yes and No. Muscles that have atrophied cannot be healed by stimulating the

nerves, but it can benefit what nerves are working. TENS is just one method.

There are others like NMES and EMS. But be very careful so the skin is not

burned. The electrodes should not be placed in an area of sensory impairment

(eg, in cases of nerve lesions, neuropathies), where the possibility of burns

exists) and the current is not on a long time. More is not necessarily better. I

had TENS as a part of an overall Physical Therapy program at one time. I

experienced NO difference after 6 weeks of this in PT.

Read up on this and talk with your PT.

http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/Article/E-Stims-Break-from-the-Past.aspx

http://www.rehabpub.com/features/82004/3.asp

http://www.unc.edu/~wrightke/

Many many people confuse TENS with Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS). EMS and

TENS devices look similar, with both using long electric lead wires and

electrodes. TENS is for blocking pain, where EMS is for stimulating muscles (if

no atrophy is present)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcutaneous_electrical_nerve_stimulation

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/325107-overview

Take a look through our Archives for 'walk-aide' and TENS or TES.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have CMT and I was assessed at a clinic to see if I could benefit from the

Stim device and the conclusion was that I wouldn't. I have fairly severe foot

drop and I was informed that this only works for mild foot drop. The TENS

machine which I also purchased many years ago is something totally different and

was also not beneficial. Hope this information is helpful.

Warmest wishes,

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

Yes, I have some limited personal experience and would not recommend it.

The operator kept asking me if it was painful and it was not particularly

painful to me, but I believe that sensory nerves are also involved and do not

provide a safe warning. I paid dearly afterward from over used muscles. My only

caution would be to start with very low stimulations and wait a couple of days

to see if the muscles were not over stimulated.

Did you ever see the movie " The Right Stuff " ? There is a scene using a

muscle stimulator and the astronaut candidates left carrying one arm with the

other.

EdM from NH

[Guest guest]

I met someone on a CMT list that had very mild CMT. She was able to run

and jog. She worked full time and was pretty active. She used E - Stim and with

in a day or two ( I can't remember) she was unable to walk without assistance

and had been wearing AFOs full time since. She said it changed her life

dramatically.

[Guest guest]

wow; that is SO sad.

Re: E-Stim device / walk-aide device for foot drop / TENS

 

I met someone on a CMT list that had very mild CMT. She was able to run

and jog. She worked full time and was pretty active. She used E - Stim and with

in a day or two ( I can't remember) she was unable to walk without assistance

and had been wearing AFOs full time since. She said it changed her life

dramatically.

[Guest guest]

My chiropractor uses one one my neck and lower back and I can't feel it and he

will only go to a certain level the chiropractor I had before this one I used to

go as high as the machine would go and just barely felt it he used to have to

tell the girls about me so they would know how high to put the machine most

people only went maybe half of less than me. When I first hurt my back and

before I knew I had CMT my orthopedic sent me to physical therapy and they put

the machine next to me so I could keep making it higher so I could feel it.

________________________________

From: Edwin R More <edwinrmore@...>

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 7:15:04 PM

Subject: Re: E-Stim device / walk-aide device for foot drop / TENS

 

Hello ,

Yes, I have some limited personal experience and would not recommend it.

The operator kept asking me if it was painful and it was not particularly

painful to me, but I believe that sensory nerves are also involved and do not

provide a safe warning. I paid dearly afterward from over used muscles. My only

caution would be to start with very low stimulations and wait a couple of days

to see if the muscles were not over stimulated.

Did you ever see the movie " The Right Stuff " ? There is a scene using a

muscle stimulator and the astronaut candidates left carrying one arm with the

other.

EdM from NH

[Guest guest]

I don't want anyone to get confused so I wanted to say that a TENs unit is not

an E-Stim.

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