England Physical Therapy Services

Bioness NESS ® L300 Technology for Foot Drop

   

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NESS® L300™

Patient using NESS® L300™

England Physical Therapy is the ONLY physical therapy practice in Orange County trained in the use of the NESS® L300™, a revolution in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) technology that can help patients with life-altering neurological disorders regain lost mobility and recapture their independence.  Central nervous system injuries often result in foot drop—leading to instability and increased effort during gait.                 

The NESS® L300 is an advanced neuroprosthesis designed to enable a more natural gait and a return to a more normal lifestyle.  It is a breakthrough intended for treating foot drop associated with a number of conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and incomplete spinal cord injury.  In addition to facilitating a more normal gait, the NESS L300 may also be used for muscle reeducation, to prevent/retard disuse atrophy, to maintain or increase joint range of motion and to increase blood flow.


Teresa England, PT, MPT is uniquely qualified to fit patients with this advanced technology as it demands expertise in normal and pathological gait.  Teresa England, PT, MPT has taught Observational Gait Analysis internationally, nationally and in university settings for 20 years and is a recognized expert in the field.

I really enjoy educating physical therapists and physical therapy students in what I consider to be a cornerstone of our profession—analysis of normal and abnormal movement.  However, as much as I enjoy teaching, I am a clinician at heart.  I know this because reflecting on highlights of my career does not bring thoughts of personal accomplishments.

 

Instead, my mind fills with snapshots of “fond moments” in which I had the privilege of sharing the excitement and joy patients experience when they regain an ability they thought they might never have again.

 

• First time standing after a stroke…realizing “I will walk again!” •    

Early in my career, I worked rehabilitating stroke patients at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center.  We used to use an electrical stimulator wired to a contact opening-closing heel switch in an attempt to turn the electrical stimulation on and off at the right times in the gait cycle.  The idea was good, but our ability to adjust the timing and parameters of the electrical stimulation effectively was very limited. Coming from this background, I find the NESS L300 remarkable.  It automatically recalibrates the synchronization of the electrical stimulation every 4th walking step as well as allows the me wireless fine-tuning of the parameters to very precisely enhance normal walking in an individual’s gait pattern.  This is a tremendously powerful tool—a giant step ahead of what we had before."          

I’d like to share a memorable snapshot as it happened the first time I trialed the Bioness NESS® L300™ on a patient.  For as exciting as the “technology” is, it is the rewarding satisfaction of how it has the potential to change quality of life that draws me to its use in my clinic . . .  

Jane related to me that her stroke had occurred at an early age—in her 30’s when she was at the height of an athletic career.  Since that time, she had been unable to lift her foot up.  Her current brace kept her foot from dragging, but contributed to other problems in her gait cycle.  She was seeing me to determine if another type of brace might be more suitable.   We decided to trial her with the Bioness NESS® L300™.  I turned the electrical stimulation on and began to probe for the best placement site of the electrodes.  My mind captured a snapshot of the look of sheer amazement on her face, when for the first time in 20 years, she saw her foot lift up.  I will never forget the way this wonderful lady laughed with joy when she stood and walked without a brace without dragging her foot.

I expect the NESS® L300 will provide this clinician with many future experiences of “fond moments” of sharing the excitement and joy patients experience when they regain an ability they thought they might never have again.


How you can begin

Individuals come to England Physical Therapy in a variety of ways.  You or a family member can contact us and set up an appointment.  Or your physician or other health care provider can refer you.  In either case, we coordinate our care with your personal physician or other care provider.  In order to bill your insurance company, we’ll need a medical diagnosis.  Please contact us by phone at:  714.703.8477 or email us at info@englandpt.com.

   
Copyright © 2007 England Physical Therapy

12465 Lewis Street, Suite 101  Garden Grove, CA 92840

Email: info@englandpt.com

Phone: 714.703.8477  Fax: 714.703.8157