4.16 Post-Stroke

Question 1

Even after a minor stroke, pts are at a higher risk for

Answer 1

falls

Question 2

What may predispose stroke patients for being a higher fall risk?

Answer 2

• foot drop
• vestibular issues
• visual field issues
• tilting to one side
• sensory issues/kinesthetic awareness

Question 3

foot drop compensations

Answer 3

• steppage gait

- if they can’t do that, they will drag their foot

Question 4

foot slap cause

Answer 4

dorsiflexors can’t control the foot strike (flat foot landing)

Question 5

problem with weak dorsiflexors

Answer 5

walking a long distance and they can’t go through full ROM, dorsiflexors wear out

Question 6

Why do stroke pts tilt to one side often?

Answer 6

COG is off

Question 7

In addition to being fall risks, what else are common with stroke pts?

Answer 7

• fractures
• skin breakdown
• head injury
• cardiovascular issues
• psychosocial problems

Question 8

Why do they get skin breakdown?

Answer 8

• no motor function and can’t move
• no sensory function (don’t weight shift)
• muscle imbalance

Question 9

What may cause muscle imbalances?

Answer 9

spasticity

Question 10

What happens if hypertonia on affected side is not dealt with in PT?

Answer 10

puts them in a contracted position

Question 11

What is one of the most important things to try to get back?

Answer 11

cardiovascular fitness

Question 12

common psychosocial issues following stroke

Answer 12

• depression

- emotionally labile

Question 13

Why do stroke synergies happen?

Answer 13

• something coming back from rudimentary reflexes (this is just where it comes from deep in the neuro system)

Question 14

UE stroke synergy is similar to

Answer 14

similar position to withdrawing from touching something hot

Question 15

LE stroke synergy

Answer 15

one flexes, the other extends

Question 16

Why are stroke synergies a problem?

Answer 16

• not functional

- get stuck in these positions