Functional Electrical Stimulation, commonly known as FES, has many practical applications. FES is a widely used, non-invasive treatment technique that applies electrical impulses to weak or paralysed muscles. The idea of using electricity to have a beneficial effect on the body is not new, but it is only with advances in technology in recent years are we starting to see the true potential of this approach for neurorehabilitation and healthcare in general.
The purpose of functional electrical stimulation is usually to generate a useful (functional) muscle contraction; often with the aim of improving function and movement but, depending on the type of stimulation used, an FES device can do much more than that.

In this article we review the topic of FES, some of it's applications and point to some of the devices offered by Anatomical Concepts.

In this article we explain why functional electrical stimulation (FES) is an effective technique in enhancing functional recovery in patients with peripheral nerve injuries. The technique can improve muscle activation, prevent muscle atrophy, enhance muscular endurance and strength, and assist in nerve and axonal regeneration.

FES is a generally safe, non-pharmacologic intervention without significant side-effects, which adds an essential therapeutic option to neurological physiotherapy.

With muscle denervation the FES is designed to work directly with muscle fibre and not rely on the local nerve structure for success.

Further studies on FES are necessary to comprehend the scope, limitations, and best methodology. Programmes need to be customised for each user.

We are finding there is a growing interest in using electrotherapy to treat denervated muscle. There are many clinical benefits of doing this and given equipment like the Stimulator RISE, it is very easy to do. Clients can do this safely at home given guidance and support.
Denervated muscle refers to a muscle that has lost its nerve supply or connection to the nervous system. Nerves play a crucial role in controlling muscle movement and function by sending electrical impulses to the muscle fibers. When a muscle becomes denervated, it loses this connection, which can lead to muscle weakness, atrophy (shrinkage), and even loss of muscle function over time. The article features a video from Anatomical Concepts DIrector, Derek Jones, who describes the rationale and process of using the RISE Stimulator in some detail. You can review the video and the transcript is shown

Lower motor neuron lesions can have a profound effect on the nerves responsible for controlling movement in the body, leading to a range of symptoms, including muscle weakness and atrophy (loss of muscle bulk). These conditions can be caused by various factors, such as injury, disease, and even genetic disorders.

In our work we mostly meet individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury that has resulted in damage to the Lower Motor Neurons resulting in denervation of muscle. We also see nerve injuries such as a Brachial Plexus injury to the shoulder.

In this guide, we will explore some of the causes, the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for lower motor neuron lesions, highlighting the importance of early intervention and appropriate care.

How to we test for denervated muscle? As we will see in this article, a number of conditions can lead to denervation. Sometimes the extent of this denervation is hard to establish with equipment commonly available to the therapist. Perhaps the therapist tried “conventional” neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and could not produce a muscle contraction even with quite high intensity settings. Hence denervation was suspected, but without really being able to determine it’s extent.
The RISE stimulator provides a handy protocol that allows the presence and extent of denervation to be established and monitored over time. This article describes the process. First lets review some information on what exactly causes denervation, it’s consequences and the benefits of electrotherapy. We can then describe how the RISE unit can give is a denervation “benchmark”.

Skeletal muscle denervation is caused by damage or injury to the nerves that supply a muscle. This can occur as a result of a number of different conditions, including trauma to the spine or a peripheral nerve. Denervation can also result from infection, inflammation, and certain medical procedures. In some cases, denervated skeletal muscle may be caused by diseases that affect the nerves, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Guillain-Barré syndrome. Denervation can also occur as a complication of surgery, such as when a nerve is accidentally damaged during an operation.

Muscles can recover from denervation, despite the loss of nerve supply to a muscle. Sometimes this recovery happens with little intervention necessary. At Anatomical Concepts we are typically working with individuals where some intervention is indicated.