AUGMENTATION OF TRANSFERS FOR A QUADRIPLEGIC PATIENT USING AN IMPLANTED FNS SYSTEM - CASE-REPORT

A 22 year old man with incomplete quadriplegia (C6-7) was unable to pe rform either a sliding or a pivot transfer. He was instrumented with a n implanted functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) system, radio f requency-linked to a belt-worn controller. The system activated eight muscles selected from among quadriceps, hamstrings, posterior portion of the adductor magnus, gluteus maximus, and erector spinae, bilateral ly. The two-stage implantation procedure included electrode implantati on with percutaneous leads followed by stimulator implantation and rem oval of the percutaneous leads. All implants were well tolerated with no adverse effects. The subject was able independently to put on the e xternal controller portion of the system and to perform a standing piv ot transfer with only standby assistance. An unexpected outcome of the FNS system use was increased voluntary upper body strength that resul ted in improvement of the sliding transfer from 'inability' to 'indepe ndent'.