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Long-Term
Sequelac of Stroke
Plantarflexion. Plantarflexion contrac- * Keeps llemiplegic knot and hsip in extension while bgearing weight
ture of the ankle is a common complica- * Reduces risbk of venous thromboembolism
tion that results in a decreased base of
support and genu recurvatum during * Reduces risk of osteoporosis
stance phase36 of gait and difficulty in
clearing the foot during swing phase. Gen- Diagnosis is confirmed with the three-
erally, the contracture can be partially phase radionucide bone scan, which dem-
corrected with physiotherapy and an onstrates increased periarticular uptake at
ankle-foot orthosis. the shoulder and wrist of the affected upper
extremity.!"' This syndrome often responds
Inversion of the foot and ankle. Inver- positively, at least initially, to a short course
sion of the foot and ankle is often also pres- of high-dose steroids,'76(3" stellate ganglion
ent, causing the patient to walk on the (sympathetic) blocks,"'"" and physiotherapy
lateral aspect of the foot, which can be quite emphasizing range of motion exercises.)8 95 64
painful. This inversion often interferes with
proper fitting of an ankle-foot orthosis. Sur- Wrist and handflexion. WVrist and hand
gical lengthening of the Achilles tendon is flexion contractures develop in the hemi-
rarely considered, although it does not re- plegic wrist and hand. A fixed flexion
solve the problem of increased tone in the contracture of the hand interferes with resto-
gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. ration of hand function. It can be painful
(therefore increasing spasticity) and often is
Painful hemiplegic shoulder. A painful unsightly. Prevention, with regular range of
hemiplegic shoulder is common following motion exercises and positional splints, is the
stroke,37-39 occurring in up to 72% of hemi- key to management. Splints should maintain
plegic patients.43'4' The two conditions a gentle stretch on flexor muscles, keep the
most frequently associated with shoulder wrist in 20° to 300 of extension, and should
pain are glenohumeral subluxation'37'42'" not increase spasticity.
and a frozen (spastic) shoulder. 37 47-49 Later-
al and downward subluxation of the gleno- Fractures. Fractures of the hip, humerus,
humeraljoint often occurs during the initial and distal radius on the hemiplegic side are
flaccid stage37'41 "';' and can lead to shoul- not uncommon. Fractures of the lower
der pain37'4'3-36 or a brachial plexus traction extremity in an ambulatory patient should
injury."' At present, a frozen or contracted be managed aggressively. A fracture is often
shoulder is considered the major source of the event that leads to loss of indepen-
pain in the hemiplegic patients4448 49 and dence for stroke patients and to eventual
is often accelerated by the inappropriate institutionalization.
use of arm slings. Referral to a physiothera-
pist for shoulder mobilization, followed by Orthopedic surgical intervention. For
a home program performed either by the contractures, orthopedic surgical intervention
patient or family is the treatment of choice. is rarely required. Surgery should not be con-