Implanted functional electrical stimulation for upright mobility in pediatric spinal cord injury: a follow-up report

Ten subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) underwent implantation of a functional electrical stimulation (FES) system for upright mobility. After training in the use of long leg braces (LLB) and FES, subjects were tested in 8 upright mobility activities. Data collection was repeated annually with a mean follow-up time of 17.5 months. Subjects completed 3 activities faster with FES than with LLB and were more independent in 4 activities across all data collection points. Sixty five of the 80 implanted electrodes maintained adequate responses with electrode revisions required primarily within 4 months post-electrode operatively. These results indicate overall stability of the electrodes and functional status