131270Maintenance of functional capacity during lower limb immobilization and the potential for soft tissue repair for a novel form of neuromuscular electrostimulationClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKSoft tissue ankle injuries are the most common type of injury presented at NHS hospital A&E departments and account for almost 20% of all injuries; a total of approximately 200,000 cases per annum. Depending on the type of injury, the limb will require immobilising leading to a decrease in muscle strength and blood flow. The applicants wish to conduct a feasibility study of a new type of Neuro-Muscular Electro-Stimulation device (NMES): the firefly. This device has been shown to improve the circulation of blood in the lower leg by stimulating nerves in the leg and twitching the calf muscle. This action causes blood to pump around the body. The study hopes to demonstrate how the firefly can help the soft tissue repair itself and prevent muscle wasting during immobilisation. This will be achieved by a series of experiments using limb immobilization in healthy volunteers.