All the above-mentioned disorders can occur in the aftermath of a stroke, and they affect majority of stroke patients. They compound other disabilities and are impediment to the autonomy of many stroke survivors.
What are they?
Pain
Paralyzed shoulder muscles are not able to help tendons to keep the upper end of the arm in the shoulder joint. As a result the arm drops from the joint which is very painful and can prevent rehabilitation of the hand and arm.
Depression
Depression after stroke, as after any severe illness, is very common, goes often without diagnosis, reduces patient’s capacity for rehabilitation, and impairs his/her quality of life. Furthermore, not only stroke patients but also their spouses or next-of-kins who take care of the patients are often depressive. For many of the patients, their spouses and their children, this burden is long-standing.
Cognitive decline
Stroke can lead to cognitive decline, and it is even more common after a recurrent stroke. This is also the case after recurrent subclinical stroke which often are not diagnosed due to missing classical symptoms of stroke. Yet, they cause more and more damage and reduce the mental capacity of patients.
Spasticity
Spasticity is like a “wicked charley horse.” Brain injury from stroke sometimes causes paralyzed muscles to involuntarily contract (shorten or flex) when you try to move your limb. This creates stiffness and tightness. The contracted muscles often freeze joints of hand and arm permanently into an abnormal and often painful position. When a muscle can't complete its full range of motion, the tendons and soft tissue surrounding it can become tight. This makes stretching the muscle much more difficult.
ALL THESE COMPONENTS FOR STROKE AFTERMATH CAN BE DIAGNOSED AND FOR MOST OF THEM THERE IS A TREATMENT. SO WHY, WHAT WE KNOW, IS NOT TRANSFERRED TO WHAT WE DO?