gms | German Medical Science

68th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)
7th Joint Meeting with the British Neurosurgical Society (SBNS)

German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)

14 - 17 May 2017, Magdeburg

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The therapy of ankle movements in multiple Sclerosis with ActiGait – a implantable drop foot stimulator

Meeting Abstract

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  • Daniel Martin - KHDF - Krankenhaus Dresden Friedrichstadt, Carl-Gustav-Carus Universitätsklinikum an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
  • Witold Polanski - Universitätsklinik Dresden, Carl-Gustav-Carus Universitätsklinikum an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
  • Anne-Kathrin Schulz - Carl-Gustav-Carus Universitätsklinikum an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
  • Michael Jöbges - Brandenburg Klinik Bernau bei Berlin, Neurologische Abteilung, Bernau-Waldsiedlung, Deutschland
  • Tjalf Ziemssen - Carl-Gustav-Carus Universitätsklinikum an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Zentrum für klinische Neurowissenschaften, Multiple Sklerose Zentrum, Dresden, Deutschland
  • Gabriele Schackert - Klinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Carl-Gustav-Carus Universitätsklinikum an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
  • Thomas Pinzer - Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurige, Dresden, Deutschland
  • Stephan B. Sobottka - Carl-Gustav-Carus Universitätsklinikum an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Klinkum Carls Gustav Carus, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Dresden, Deutschland

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Society of British Neurological Surgeons. 68. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC), 7. Joint Meeting mit der Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS). Magdeburg, 14.-17.05.2017. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. DocMi.06.03

doi: 10.3205/17dgnc396, urn:nbn:de:0183-17dgnc3965

Published: June 9, 2017

© 2017 Martin et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Outline

Text

Objective: Direct stimulation of the peroneal nerve by the ActiGait implantable drop foot stimulator is a potent therapy that was described previously for stroke-related drop foot. The authors report here successful long-term application of the ActiGait implantable drop foot stimulator in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Six patients with MS and 2 years of persisting central leg paresis received an implantable ActiGait drop foot stimulator after successful surface test stimulation. Ten weeks and 1 year after surgery, their gait speed, endurance, and safety were evaluated. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire.

Results: In the 20-m gait and Timed Up and Go tests, stimulation with the ActiGait stimulator signi cantly reduced the time needed, on average, by approximately 23.6% 10 weeks after surgery, and the time improved further to 36.3% after 1 year. The median distance covered by patients with the stimulator after 6 minutes of walking increased signi cantly from 217 m to 321 m and remained stable for 1 year; the distance covered by patients after surface stimulation was 264 m. Patients with an implanted ActiGait stimulator noticed pronounced improvement in their mobility, social participation, and quality of life.

Conclusion: The ActiGait implantable drop foot stimulator improved gait speed, endurance, and quality of life in all patients over a period of 1 year. It may serve as a new therapeutic option for patients with MS-related drop foot.