A Simple Guide to Post-stroke Recovery, Diagnosis, Treatment and Related Conditions

This book describes Post-stroke Recovery, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related DiseasesWhen a stroke happens, areas of the brain become injured and many of these brain cell connections are demolished. That is the reason why many patients have problems with movements after a stroke because the neural connections that manage movement have been affected. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the nervous system to alter its activity in reaction to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its neural structure, functions, or connections after injuries, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
A stroke happens when blood supply to the brain is interrupted by either a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured artery (hemorrhagic stroke). When blood supply is affected, it decreases the brain cells of oxygen, causing severe brain harm. The treatment for stroke requires clot-busting medicines and occasionally surgery, depending on the type and site of the stroke. Even if treatment is given quickly, the brain damage from a stroke can still produce secondary stroke effects, such as:Muscle weakness or paralysis on one sideNumbness or tingling of one sideSpeech and language difficultiesDifficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)Cognitive disorders1.
FlaccidityThe 1st stage is flaccidity of the muscles that happens immediately post-stroke. Some interventions may be:Range of motion exercisesPositioning (can help prevent sores, joint restrictions, swelling, and dislocation)Sensory re-educationHand-over-hand assistance during activities of daily living2. SpasticityThe 2nd stage is the appearance of spasticity. Spasticity is the presence of muscle stiffness and rigidity.
The patient will persist with passive range of motion exercises and put in in active-assisted range of motion exercisesSpasticity exercises may also be:Sensory re-educationHand-over-hand assistance with functional activitiesMirror therapy3. Increased SpasticityIn the 3rd stage, spasticity becomes even worse. The patient may feel frustrated that the spasticity of muscles is becoming worse and not moving forward in the stroke recovery.
Again, this rise in spasticity is actually a good sign since it indicates that the brain is rebuilding connections with the muscles. Some helpful exercises are:Mirror therapy has been proven to help restore active movement to the affected side. The patient may use splints or orthotics4. Decreased SpasticityIn the 4th stage, spasticity starts to decrease. When spasticity diminishes, the patient will observe improved voluntary movement actionsInterventions in this 4th stage will capitalize on the restored voluntary movementConstraint-induced movement therapy may be initiated5.
Complex Movement CombinationsIn the 5th stage, a person can start to coordinate complex movement combinations. This might involve grasping a spoon, filling it with food, getting it to the mouth, bringing the spoon back to the table, and releasing it. The patient will continue with the exercises at this point, increasing repetitions and resistance6 Spasticity Disappears with Coordination ReappearingIn the 6th stage, spasticity has completely gone.
The patient may act on retraining more complex and demanding functional activities7. Normal Function ReturnsIn the 7th and final stage, normal function can be restored. In some people, there is a complete recoveryTABLE OF CONTENTIntroductionChapter 1 Post-stroke RecoveryChapter 2 Treatment MethodsChapter 3 Upper Limb RehabilitationChapter 4 Lower Limb RehabilitationChapter 5 General RehabilitationChapter 6 Optimizing Reha...