FES for joint stabilization during stance phase of locomotion in spinal cord injured

A C-5 incomplete quadriplegic was provided with gait training using long leg braces and a walker. During locomotion, the stance phase was weak; she was ´sinking´ on the supporting leg. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) was applied to the gluteus medius during the stance phase of locomotion. The result was that her posture appeared more upright during locomotion and the velocity of her gait improved. The subject used the FES-assisted gait for two months. After she discontinued the use of FES, her gait pattern still improved to the point where she could walk almost as fast with FES as without it.<>