Factors influencing the incidence of shoulder pain in post-stroke patients

Teresa Pop, Agnieszka Dziedzic, Katarzyna Łach-Pop

Teresa Pop, Agnieszka Dziedzic, Katarzyna Łach-Pop – Factors influencing the incidence of shoulder pain in post-stroke patients. Fizjoterapia Polska 2010; 10(2); 103-112

Abstract
Pain and functional impairment of the paretic shoulder are a frequent complication in post-stroke patients. The pain is mostly localised to the glenohumeral joint, but sometimes radiates to the upper arm and, infrequently, to the forearm. The paper aims at assessing the incidence of shoulder joint pain in post-stroke patients, and at investigating the predisposing factors. Material and method. The study group consisted of 81 stroke survivors (41 females and 40 males) hospitalized due to stroke in the Stroke Unit of the Neurology Ward and in the Rehabilitation Ward.The study used a questionnaire to obtain characteristics of the study group, a VAS scale to assess pain intensity, as well as the Ashworth scale and Barthel index. Shoulder joint pain occurred in 58% of the participants. Mean pain intensity was 5 according to the VAS scale. Muscle tone in the upper extremity in the study group averaged at 2 in the Ashworth scale. Among those suffering from shoulder pain, 53% experienced it in the morning.
Key words:
stroke, complications, shoulder, pain
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