Short case study of rehabilitation of a stroke patient

  • 3 February 2020
  • Nicola Taylor

Stroke Rehabilitation


Here at Physio Form we are well known for treating sports injuries and carrying out various types of rehabilitation, but I have a special interest in this field and wanted to share with you. 


Patient X booked in for assessment/treatment to help improve the quality of his walking 10 months after having quite a large stroke. X was able to walk with a walking stick but did not have normal movement in his right leg and had little active movement in his right arm. He had been given a splint to wear on his right leg but he was not keen on wearing it as felt it would be better practice for his muscles not to wear it. In most cases splints will have been issued by specialist orthotic teams for a reason and it is a good idea to wear them if you have been advised to. In this case, X's muscles were not strong enough to prevent his foot from dropping and turning in so he had to exaggerate the movement at his hip and knee to take a step without dragging his foot against the floor. When put on, the splint was preventing X's foot from dropping and turning in which allowed him to use a more normal muscle activity at his hip and knee and also reduce his risk of falling over.
We worked on strengthening the muscles around the ankle in the hope that he will not need the splint in the future. We practiced walking with the splint in place and achieving more normal stepping pattern.

The effects of a stroke are completely unique to every person who has suffered one and hence the rehab needs to be tailored to that individual.  If you or someone you know has particukar rehabilitation needs after having suffered a stroke, please feel free to get in touch.  My skills in this area mean that I can help to increase strength, proprioception and help restore more normal movement patterns.

 


 

About Nicola Taylor

BSc (hons) Physiotherapy MCSP HCPC Nic trained as a physiotherapist at Sheffield Hallam University graduating in 2007. She obtained rotational post at Queens Hospital Burton progressing to senior level in 2009. Throughout this time at Burton, Nicola gained an extensive array of clinical skills by working across a number of areas including respiratory, orthopeadics, rheumatology and amputees, neurology, A&E, obstetrics and gynaecology and musculoskeletal outpatients. In 2013 Nicola obtained a position at another NHS trust in Derbyshire working in a rehabilitation unit. This involved using highly skilled problem solving and gait analysis skills to assess and treat adult and elderly patients with orthopaedic, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. The aim was to improve ability and function, reduce pain and improving quality of life. "I really enjoy the challenge of assessing and treating someone to enable them to achieve their goal. Whether that is to be able to complete normal daily activities without pain right the way through to someone who has the goal of a sporting achievement. As someone who is a keen sports enthusiast and have been lucky enough to have played hockey at National League level. I understand the impact an injury can have not just on your sport, but on day to day life too."

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