Walk Aide Allows Drop Foot Syndrome Patients to Walk Again

posted on Jul 27 by amelia in the Disability News, Spinal Cord Injury, Technology, Wheelchair Technology category

The Walk Aide is a revolutionary product that allows people with drop foot syndrome the ability to walk completely unassisted.  This small set of straps placed around the the lower legs sends electrical pulses that activates the nerves and causes the foot to react naturally. The Walk Aide is placed just below the knee and measures where your foot is in space to reply accordingly.

Tina Mann was in a snowboarding accident that caused her to damage her spinal cord.  Doctors gave her a 30% chance of recovery and told her that she would be in a wheelchair the rest of her life.  After 3 months of being completely paralyzed from the waist down and 8 months of total rehabilitation, Tina was finally able to walk with assistance, yet she was never able to lift her feet due to the drop foot syndrome from the injury.

After trying the Walk Aide, Tina is walking normally.  In fact, she rock climbs, does strength training, and even snowboards again.  She no longer has to rely on metal, plastic, or anything to keep her feet in step except her own muscles and the small device on each leg.

The Walk Aide costs around $5,000 and is indeed priceless for those who benefit from it. The cost is covered by insurance on a case by case basis, and Medicaid covers the devices as needed.

View Tina’s story below:

The official Walk-Aide video: