<p>Col M S Chauhan suffered stroke three years ago. His left side of the body was paralysed making it tough for him to walk. Even after he recovered, he used to drag his leg. <br /><br /></p>.<p>A device, now also available in India, is helping him walk almost like normal.<br />WalkAide was officially launched in India on Monday. A number of Indians have been using the device after getting one from abroad. It is effective in cases of multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.<br /><br />WalkAide is a battery-run device that channels electrical stimulation to the leg and foot in order to restore typical nerve-to-muscle signals. This helps in effectively lifting the foot at the appropriate time. It is a surface electrode in which no instrument is embedded in the body surgically.<br /><br />“When we move, nerves send signal to the brain. Problem occurs when this connection is cut. The device creates an alternative route for sending signals, compensating for the damaged path,” said Mr Deepak Chawla of Velocity Healthcare, the company that has launched the device.<br /><br />WalkAide was launched in the United States in 2006. It costs Rs 3 lakh in which supply of a year’s electrodes is included. Thereafter, Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 will have to be spent per year on buying electrodes which are to be changed every 15-20 days.<br />The device stores the data of patient’s movements for 72 weeks in numerical as well as graphical form.</p>
<p>Col M S Chauhan suffered stroke three years ago. His left side of the body was paralysed making it tough for him to walk. Even after he recovered, he used to drag his leg. <br /><br /></p>.<p>A device, now also available in India, is helping him walk almost like normal.<br />WalkAide was officially launched in India on Monday. A number of Indians have been using the device after getting one from abroad. It is effective in cases of multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.<br /><br />WalkAide is a battery-run device that channels electrical stimulation to the leg and foot in order to restore typical nerve-to-muscle signals. This helps in effectively lifting the foot at the appropriate time. It is a surface electrode in which no instrument is embedded in the body surgically.<br /><br />“When we move, nerves send signal to the brain. Problem occurs when this connection is cut. The device creates an alternative route for sending signals, compensating for the damaged path,” said Mr Deepak Chawla of Velocity Healthcare, the company that has launched the device.<br /><br />WalkAide was launched in the United States in 2006. It costs Rs 3 lakh in which supply of a year’s electrodes is included. Thereafter, Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 will have to be spent per year on buying electrodes which are to be changed every 15-20 days.<br />The device stores the data of patient’s movements for 72 weeks in numerical as well as graphical form.</p>
