Severe pain and hypersensitivity in affected UE

by Anita Robbins
(Louisville, Kentucky )

Question: What can be done to reduce or eliminate severe pain and hypersensitivity in affected UE after a stroke? Pain is so intense that patient will not allow PROM and sensitivity is so severe, she will not let anyone touch her hand. Because of these factors, weight bearing activities, etc are completely out of the question. Also, the patient has little to no voluntary muscle contraction in the UE.

Answer: It sounds like the individual has developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). You can read more about symptoms and treatment at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20022844. Graded motor imagery and mirror therapy has had positive outcomes with CRPS. You can find out more at www.gradedmotorimagery.com.

pains in her affected leg and arm

by Shaibu Iliyasu
(Abuja, Nigeria)

Question: My mum had a stroke 4 weeks ago. Initially her right side including her arm and hand were paralyzed. Also her speech was affected but now her speech has improved a little. She can not move her arm and leg now, but there is little more improvement in her leg than her arm. I don't have money to hire a professional physiotherapist, so my sister has been doing the massage on her but now she feels pain in her leg and arm during the massaging exercise. Also, the temperature in her arm is quite high. please, what should I do to improve her condition and ensure she use her leg and arm again? Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Answer: It is not normal for the temperature in the arm to be warm. I would have the arm examined by a doctor prior to continuing any exercise to make sure there isn't a problem such as a dvt. If everything checks out okay, then you could read some of my suggestions on this website to help with rehab. Some of the pages I would suggest are:

https://www.stroke-rehab.com/flaccid-paralysis-treatment.html

https://www.stroke-rehab.com/stroke-hand-rehab.html

https://www.stroke-rehab.com/balance-problems.html

https://www.stroke-rehab.com/stroke-recovery2.html

Pain After Stroke

by elizabeth
(la puente)

Why is my father having pain on the side he lost strength from? His stroke was 3 years ago he says he feels pain on his left leg and also on his left side under his armpit. Now that he's able to move and walk more he feels pain. Before he exercised more it didn't hurt, but now it does. Why?

Answer: There could be a variety of factors why pain increased after movement was gained including fatigue, spasticity, nerve pain, return of sensation, etc. I wouldn't be able to say for sure why pain started after movement returned, but here are some of the webpages on stroke-rehab.com that address pain issues:

www.stroke-rehab.com/central-pain-syndrome.html

www.stroke-rehab.com/foot-pain-after-stroke1.html

You might look into mirror therapy/mental imagery for pain. Amputees have used these techniques to help with phantom limb pain so it might be worth a shot to try them for post stroke pain.