This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I am interested in the device and would appreciate any information from people with MS that have used or are using the device.
I am investigating the device for purchase.

Davis

I use the WalkAide - love it! I did research the Bioness but it was about $1500 more than the WalkAide and, for me, was not as "user friendly".

Sharon

I also use a Walk Aide. I really don't see where the additional $1,500.00 for the Bioness L-300 would be worth it over the Walk Aide. The Bioness L-300 is a bit more complicated to use than the Walk Aide as well. The Walk Aide is a simpler design, but the critical thing about it is the correctness of the pad placements. For everyone it is different. With the correct pad placements. The setting can be placed low enough so it only feels like a vibratory buzz (instead of feeling like irritating pins and needles). When the pad placements are wrong, the stimulus has to be raised to a higher setting to elicit the same results. When this happens, it can create hives or even blisters over the pad placement areas. Again, pad placement is critical here. I hope this information helps. Good Luck! Dr. Frank Brindisi (D.C.)

My wife uses a Bioness L 300 daily. We have had it since spring of this year.

In Linda's case, her left leg is fairly rigid from spasticity. The Bioness unit makes it possible for her left foot to lift as she walks. Walking is still not easy for her, but the Bioness unit gives her quite a bit more mobility.

Electrode pad placement is important. If the pads are in the wrong place, the foot will not move correctly.

We did not compare with the Walk Aide before purchasing.

We found that insurance was unwilling to pay initially because they could not find sufficient reporting on the usefulness of the device for MS. When we pointed out that it was really for "foot drop" they eventually paid.

David

Sure the Ness L300 is more money but for some of us it is worth it. One of the big things for me is that the unit is activated each step as my heal makes contact and then is lifting off the heel censor. It does not matter what direction I am going (forward, backward, a step to the side, up hill down hill....) Each time my heel comes off the censor it sends the signal to the unit on the leg. With the WalkAid it is activated on a tilt censor and this works on the angle of leg when walking forward. It is not set up to accommodate for when walking backwards, uphill, downhill or the times that the leg is not at the correct angle to trigger. For some people this not a big deal and the WalkAid is what works best for them.

My thought is that we all should find what work best for our situation and go with it. It is great that us MSer have more than one option.

I am the Foster Mom for a 10 year old girl with drop foot on the left side. We have tried the Bioness unit during physical therapy sessions with success. Medicaid will not pay for the unit and there is no private insurance. I see that there are several post with units for sale, most with limited usage. Did they not work or were the users not successful? I am interested in getting a unit for my girl.
We have a form from our doctor - "Medically Necessary". I also saw posts about after market sales. What are the restrictions, particularly with service and purchase of the accessories over time?