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Ask An Expert: Arm Paralysis After Stroke
Question:
Is there any chance of recovery from right arm paralysis caused by a stroke after one year has passed?
Answer:
After a stroke results in arm weakness or paralysis, significant improvement can still occur. For most people, most or all of the recovery occurs in the first six months after the stroke. However, vigorous physical therapy has been shown to help some improve even nine or more months after a stroke.
If your paralysis is complete (if you are not even able to "twitch" or wiggle one of your fingers), then you probably won't regain movement in that arm. You may have improvement in your overall function, though, if you work with a physical or occupational therapist. A therapist can help you to become more skilled in using your other side.
If your paralysis is not complete (if you are able to move your fingers or wrist slightly with some effort) then you may be able to regain a significant amount of function if you are willing to do some hard work. Weakness in an arm or leg soon after a stroke is related to the nerve damage. However, lack of muscle contractions and muscles that "go soft" begin to contribute to the weakness within a couple weeks.
A strategy called "constraint induced movement therapy" (CIMT) may be helpful. This strategy forces you to exercise your weak hand and arm to accomplish minor tasks during the day. The technique usually involves having your fully functional arm held by a splint or restraint for six hours or so in each day over a period of two weeks. With the help of a dedicated therapist, this technique can be very effective.
Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
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| Last updated: | January 24, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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