My wife suffered a stroke just over a year ago and has left sided weakness. She cannot use her left arm or hand at all and has painful shoulder subluxation. Her left leg is getting stronger and she uses an AFO when walking due to foot drop.
We've heard of FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) and from what I've read, I think it's something that could help her. I don't think it is offered on the NHS but we're keen to give it a try. The problem is finding an 'in'. Do we buy a device and try using it ourselves or is there somewhere we can go to get advice on what to try and how to use it?
Written by
Garden_Gnome
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
before I retired, I used to look after patients who have had strokes, what I found about worked was positivity, to get your wife to stand up and to be able to put her weight on her legs to move is so important. I found that holding a soft ball in the hand helped because the squeezing mechanism of the muscles tells the brain to start working. it’s a slow process. I’ve been positive and saying to her you can do it. You can walk. You can use your hand and your arm. Another item isa small bottle of water so she can bend her elbow with the help of yourself, that’s what I found encouraged my patience. I have suffered two strokes. I found it easier telling other people what to do and encouraging them. Than to do it myself was much easier. please don’t leave it long before you start and keep it up at first. She won’t want to do it but the more you’re positive the more you say you can we can do it together it does work she may not get the full feelings back but with time and work it will pay off.. I wish you both well and I wish success for you both there is light at the end of the tunnel it’s like everything in life the more you put into it the more get out of it. Please keep us informed of how your wife is doing the other thing if you can private physio there is lots of information on the web of how to become a physio I forgot to mention massage her hand her arm her shoulders her leg so important for the blood to start to move so the brain starts to acknowledge that her arm and legs are still part of her body God bless with love, Liz
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Newbie Advice! 
There is hope
I fell in love with my neuropsychologist and I told her what I felt, now I can't stop thinking about her
Brain Injury... And caring for mum
Mum in very early stage TBI - please help
