Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Exercise: Bring Back Lost Function

Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Exercise: Bring Back Lost Function . A stroke is too scary word for the patient himself as well as for the near and dear relatives of the patient. It is one of the leading causes of disability. Stroke also known as cardiovascular accident (CVA) occurs as a result of disruption of blood supply to a particular region of brain. The brain cells die due to lack of blood supply. Brain cells need oxygen and glucose for their survival which is carried by Blood to the brain.  Blood flow is compromised for variety of reasons. Blockage in the artery due to its narrowing or emboli is one cause.

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Second cause is when the blood vessel in the brain ruptures and leaks the blood in surrounding area of the brain.

High blood pressure, high level of cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and aging are few risk factors for CVA.  The symptoms of brain stroke range from mild weakness and numbness in one side of the body to more severe form, a complete one sided paralysis and flaccidity involving upper and lower or either upper or lower limb of the body. In upper limb stroke, there is shortening and contraction of the muscle in the arm.

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The fist may be tightly clenched and the wrist and elbow joint may become twisted. Patient is unable to move his hand or arm.

Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Exercise

Rehabilitating exercise is a part of treatment regimen to bring back the lost function of the upper limb. In most cases, it is started after the acute episode is over. That is after a week of the stroke. Of course the period may vary from one patient to another.

Here are some of the valuable easy rehabilitative exercises for upper limb stroke:

• Shrug both the shoulders. Ask the helper to resist these shrugs. It will improve the tone of muscle of the affected arm.
• Patient is advised to make a fist. He may be given a ball in his hand which he has to press upon or roll. This will provide strength to the spastic muscles. it might be difficult in the beginning, but gradually the patient be able to do it.
• If the muscle become spastic or they are too active with rapid contraction or shortening, the patient needs to do following exercise; the helper should grasp his thumb pad, bring the wrist backwards and try to straighten the arm gently. Bearing weight in this position will reduce the tone and spasticity.
• Most importantly, after a period when slight improvement is noted in the hand, patient is advised to try to use the affected arm for all activities. He should be encouraged to do activities such as grasping, opening of door, straightening his fingers on his own etc. while doing the task; he should keep the non affected upper limb at the back. This will encourage the affected hand to work.

Besides physiotherapy exercises, there are certain medications used to treat the spasticity and stiffness caused in upper limb stroke. Oral and spastic medicines help to relax the contracted muscles. Botox injection is found to be effective in reducing spasticity of upper limb. Botulinum is a neurotoxin; it prevents the signals in the nerves which are responsible for over activity of the muscles of upper limb. In this way it reduces stiffness of muscles. The injection requires frequent administration. Some cases of long duration which were not treated may require surgery to release muscular contracture and stiffness. It may help to improve the range of motion.