For those with Foot Drop... being able to walk again

For those with foot drop that have limited (if non-existant) mobility as a result, there is a solution. It's called Walk Aide and I have seen it in action in real-life (Thank you Marcie!)

DISCLAIMER: There is no discussion of price (which means it is probably expensive) and I would suggest after watching the video, calling your insurance company to see if they cover it.

However, if still interested, the site is at: www.walkaide.com and they have a video you can watch about the product. It is kind of long, but at the end of the video they give you a toll-free number to call and mention something about a two-week free trial period. Best of luck everyone. :J

Hi Susie,

One of Chari's treatments (an embolization I think) caused her to have significant foot drop. For probably 12 or so years, she wore a foot "appliance". She hated it! It was hot in summer and cold in winter, and uncomfortable. But it did keep her from tripping over her foot (which happened a lot when she walked without it). Her gait was bad enough that it caused her hip to hurt constantly and affected her posture.

She had foot surgery to shorten a tendon to help level her foot. That helped a bunch, and she was able to ditch the appliance. Her gait was still bad as some leg nerves/muscles had atrophied.

We had a friend who tried a walk aid and loved it. Chari tried it for two weeks (without obligation) and LOVED IT! It makes her gait much better, so we got it.

The down side: Our insurance, and I suspect most other insurances, will not pay for it. And it costs in the neighborhood of $5,000. OUCH. I wish we could have found it sooner though, as her gait would probably not have deteriorated as it has.

Best wishes,
Ron, KS

Has anyone tried Walk Aide and found that it TRAINED their muscles? So that walking was easier even without the device? My husband's physical therapist says that it won't do this, but I don't know if he really knows this particular device.

That is really interesting! I don't have foot drop but I do have to wear an AFO when I wear shoes, it's incredibly uncomfortable and stretches out my left shoe. I was going to watch the video but then I read JH's comment about it NOT training muscles. If only that were possible! The best piece of equipment I ever used was called a moveo machine which is similar to the Total Gym (so my PT had said) but the Moveo is so much more expensive than the Total Gym, kinda sounds like walkaide (according to Ron) is unaffordable. I mean anyone with foot drop wants to walk again but geez...that's a lot of deniro....why does medicare and other insurance pay for a hoverround for obese people but won't pay for actual treatment (like a strict nutritional program)? Why will they cover the cost of lifetime equipment but not for actual treatment???? It makes no sense.

Don't take my word for it! It's just what I heard from one guy... I'm hoping someone will pop up here to say it DID train their muscles.

I wonder if there's a market in used Walk Aides... I've seen a lot of other medical devices for resale online, and always a lot cheaper.

Good point JH! Maybe another place that has it cheaper. Does anyone know how long it's been out?

Ouch is right Ron. As Kristi said that is a lot of dinero...Wish Medicare covered it. OK now I'm just venting...lol. :J

I just watched the video. I thought foot drop was something else. I have no control of my foot or ankle, I guess that's foot drop. I walk like the guy they show close to the beginning of the video with the walking stick. My arm is in almost the same position as his as well. I thought foot drop was when your foot stays down ALL THE TIME. So far, mine does not, I just can't lift it on my own (unless in a strange position which is hard to describe), but I believe elevation and somehow the muscles being strained/pulled from a position with elevation (really hard to describe) has something to do with it.
This walkaid looks like some sort of mobile E.stim situation, if that makes sense. I tried E.stim therapy for my wrist and ankle before I had a seizure. All it does is stimulate muscles enough to create a response. I wonder if that's what this thing is. Now I'm interested in finding out more about it! LOL

I'll share more than I really know about Walk Aides............... and I would encourage any of you who think it might help to try it.

First, I think the walk aid provides an electrical impulse to activate the muscles. So it is providing an input for nerves that no longer work. The device senses movement and applies the impulse to your leg for the muscles that control lifting your foot. It requires calibration by a technician. Chari was told that many people have to come back after they have used them for awhile as their gait changes and it has to be recalibrated.

In the sense "does it help improve muscles?", without a walk aid providing stimulation, my guess is those muscles will atrophy. Will it bring back muscles that are damaged? I doubt it.

Second, yes it is a ton of $$$$$$$$$. I'm guessing they've been out 2-4 yrs, and the price might come down (but I doubt it, think automobiles!). But how much is the ability to walk in good balance worth? Chari's back, neck, and shoulders were getting all out of alignment the way she had to swing her foot with the AFO. Now it's more normal.

Third, as for used, I doubt it. We asked about the life of them, and it sounded like 5 years, with all the standard disclaimers of how often you used it, the care you took of it yada, yada. Unless you could pick up one a year old, it might be spending a lot of money on something that had a short life.

Hope this helps. By all means, if you can try one FREE for two weeks, go for it and see what it will do for you.

And I agree--What insurance will pay for and not pay for is silly...........

Ron, KS