American Physical Therapy Association Endorses The Ness L300™ Foot Drop System

Main Category: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 12 Jun 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) announced its official product endorsement of the NESS L300 Foot Drop System, manufactured by Bioness Inc. of Valencia, CA, the first functional electrical stimulation (FES) foot drop system to be endorsed by APTA.

"APTA's endorsement began with an extensive product review by physical therapists, the Board Committee to Review Product Endorsements (BCRPE), and staff," said APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "The NESS L300 was reviewed to ensure that it met APTA's standards of quality and we found that it clearly may assist physical therapists in helping patients regain mobility."

The NESS L300 is a prescription device used by nearly 400 rehabilitation facilities and select orthotic and prosthetic patient-care facilities across the United States to treat foot drop, a partial leg paralysis that prevents the foot from lifting, causing instability and making walking difficult. Foot drop often occurs in persons who have conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, incomplete spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy.

"Physical therapists have played a critical role as clinical specialists to educate and train patients using the NESS L300 as an adjunct to therapy and in the community. PTs are the trusted advisors of many patients who have mobility issues whose quality of life may be improved by the NESS L300," said Yitzhak Zilberman, president and CEO of Bioness Inc. "This endorsement by the prestigious American Physical Therapy Association further validates the benefits of our product to the physical therapists who are helping patients every day."

Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility -- in many cases without expensive surgery or the side effects of prescription medications. APTA represents more than 72,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide. Its purpose is to improve the health and quality of life of individuals through the advancement of physical therapist practice, education, and research. In most states, patients can make an appointment directly with a physical therapist, without a physician referral. Learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat and find a physical therapist in your area at http://www.moveforwardpt.com.

Source
American Physical Therapy Association