Open AccessLower Extremity Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation in Cases of Spinal Cord Injury
Author(s) -
George R. Cybulski,
Richard D. Penn,
Robert J. Jaeger
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
neurosurgery/neurosurgery online
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.485
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1081-1281
pISSN - 0148-396X
DOI - 10.1227/00006123-198407000-00027
Subject(s) - medicine , spinal cord injury , functional electrical stimulation , physical medicine and rehabilitation , spinal cord , rehabilitation , neuroprosthetics , stimulation , biomechanics , physical therapy , anatomy , psychiatry
Functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) provides a mechanism for the activation of muscles paralyzed by injury to the spinal cord. Although this technique was first used to treat patients with spinal cord injury over 20 years ago, only recent advances in electronics and biomechanics have made it a promising aid for the rehabilitation of these patients. Thus far, restoration of palmar prehension and lateral prehension in quadriplegics and of standing and biped gait in paraplegics has been achieved under carefully controlled laboratory conditions. This article reviews the current status of FNS and its potential as a practical tool to aid spinal cord-injured patients. Neurosurgeons who care for these patients might be expected to be involved in the future use of FNS if implantable systems are developed and tested.