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3. Indications/Contraindications
Potential candidates for the ActiGait® are stroke patients with drop foot. The pa-
tients who may benet from use of the ActiGait® are characterized by lacking the
ability to obtain normal heel contact during gait. It must be possible to correct the
heel contact by electrical stimulation of the peroneal nerve.
3.1 Indications
The individuals must:
• have a one-sided hemiparesis persisting for at least 6 months due to a cerebro-
vascular accident (CVA)
• be fully grown-up
• be able to walk 20 m in less than 2 minutes with or without a walking aid but
without the help of another person
• have a reduced speed of walking
• be able to stand upright with both heels touching the oor while hip and knee
are in neutral position
• have a passive range of movement of the aected ankle joint of at least 30 de-
grees
• have a positive response to surface electrical stimulation of the peroneal nerve –
i.e. muscle contraction results in ankle dorsiexion and improved gait
3.2 Contraindications
Individuals with:
• peripheral nerve damage in the aected leg
• severe or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus with peripheral nerve involvement
• poor skin condition on the aected leg
• a thickness of subcutaneous adipose layer on the thigh exceeding 40 mm.
1
• inability to walk 100 m without stopping prior to CVA (with or without a walking
aid, but without the help of another person)
• poorly controlled epilepsy
• need for Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) to maintain ankle stability
• concomitant medical and psychological conditions, which would limit the suc-
cess of the ActiGait®, such as: active degenerative diseases of the back and legs,
neglect or drug abuse
1 Individuals who by visual inspection seem to have an adipose layer of about 40 mm at the
site where the stimulator should be placed must undergo a more precise examination to
measure the exact thickness of the adipose layer (e.g. using ultrasonic measurement
methods.)
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