The WalkAide - Product Review

The WalkAide is a new FDA approved medical product that can simply help people walk better. How? - This medical device provides FES (functional electrical stimulation) to help people with foot drop clear their foot as they walk.

Who Can Use The WalkAide?

Patients who have foot drop can benefit from the use of this device. More specifically, people who will benefit the most from this medical device are those that have suffered drop foot due to certain conditions. These conditions include, brain or spinal diseases, a CVA (stroke), MS (multiple sclerosis), a spinal cord injury, TBI (traumatic brain injury), brain tumor or CP (cerebral palsy).

Why It Is Different Than "Traditional" AFOs (Ankle Foot Orthoses)

First, an AFO is a brace that helps people walk better. It is typically, made from plastic and is designed to help people walk better. Typically, this is a custom made brace, but it can come in a prefabricated designs as well. - The WalkAide reportedly analyzes the movement of a patient's leg and foot, with "advanced sensor technology". The WalkAide will then send an electrical signal to a patient's peroneal nerve, which is located in the lower leg. In specific, this nerve is located in the outside aspect of the lower leg and helps to control movement in the foot and ankle.

How Does A Person Get A WalkAide?

This is a medically prescribed device, from your physician. After the device is medically prescribed, the patient needs to be evaluated by a credentialed and medical trained individual, such as an orthotist. - This device is not bought at stores, like other devices can be, such as a walking cane.

How Long Does A Patient Use The WalkAide?

According to the WalkAide site, this device can be worn all day. However, patients must remove it and turn off the WalkAide prior to going to bed at night. This only makes sense if the device is going to be used for walking anyways. Depending on usage levels, the WalkAide will need to have batter relpacements every one, two or three weeks. Reuseable batteries would be nice in a case like this.

The WalkAide is also not water proof.

Note: This is health information. Although it is good information, it is best to get medical advice about this device from your local, licensed orthotist or medical professional. Many people are candidates for this device, but not all people with foot drop will be able to use the device effectively.

Foot Drop Due to a Stroke (CVA) - AFOs And The WalkAide - Medical Supplies to Help With Walking

Have you, or someone you know, suffered from a stroke (CVA)?

Nobody wants to be held back due to a stroke, so this article can be really helpful for these people if they suffer from a foot drop.

What is Foot Drop?

Foot drop can result after a stroke and cause people to drag their toes when they walk. This results in the body's loss of muscle control either due to weakness or paralysis. As a result, people may exhibit what is known as a "high steppage" gait to compensate for this condition. A "steppage" gait happens when someone tries to lift their knee higher than normal, so they can clear their foot more easily when they take a stride.

Is There Treatment For A Foot Drop Due to a Stroke?

Yes. People do not necessarily have to live with a gait deviation and do nothing about it. You do have options. Two conservative treatment options can work very well for people that suffer from foot drop, due to a stroke. Traditional AFOs and the WalkAide are two devices that medical professionals use to help people walk better again after a stroke.

A.) AFOs (ankle foot orthoses)

What is an AFO? - An AFO is a brace that is made by a specialist in orthotics, known as an orthotist. These individuals can fabricate a brace for you that will help lift your foot when you walk. These braces can also help to provide support to your ankle in the coronal plane (side to side stability), while also providing indirect support to the knee, if you need it.

B.) WalkAide

This is a more new, FDA approved medical device, that can assist with foot drop as well. When people have suffered form a stroke and some other debilitating conditions the WalkAide is an alternative device that can be used for the benefit of a patient. What happens is that this device provides electrical stimulation and in turn, the foot can be raised when a person walks. This can eliminate the need for an AFO for patients and help people get on with their lives again. It can work well for many people, but not everyone is a candidate for this type of device.

Note: This is health information. Not medical advice. For medical advice about bracing or the Walkaide, it is best to consult a licensed orthotist in your area. These individuals are credentialed medical professionals that work with both AFOs and the WalkAide.