Care of the Affected Arm & Shoulder Stroke Series Pain after stroke Weakness on one side of the body is one of the most common side eff ects of stroke. This can lead to problems like shoulder pain.
How do I look after it?
What causes shoulder pain? After a stroke, the muscles and ligaments around the shoulder joints become very weak, stiff or paralysed. When the arm hangs by the side of the body for a long time, you will feel sore because you have overstrained your shoulder joint. Shoulder pain can also develop if the bone in your upper arm and shoulder blade move apart (shoulder subluxation). This happens because the muscles that hold this joint are too weak to keep it in place.
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Never pull on the affected arm.
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Avoid lift ing patients using their affected arms.
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Do not force any movement on the affected arm.
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Avoid the use of slings as this encourages the onset of joint stiff ness and deformity of the affected arm.
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Use shoulder supports recommended by therapists.
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See other side for ways to lie and sit to reduce the pain.
Lying on unaffected side • Place affected arm forward and support it with two pillows. •
Place a pillow behind the back.
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Bend both legs at the hips and knees, with a pillow in between.
Lying to affected side • Keep the affected arm forward at the shoulder. •
Extend the elbow and hand with the palm up.
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Place a pillow behind the back.
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Bend both legs at the hips and knees, with a pillow in between.
Lying on the back • Do not twist your head, keep it at neutral alignment as shown in picture. •
Place a towel under the affected shoulder blade to protect it.
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Place a pillow under the affected arm to provide support.
Sitting on a chair or wheelchair • Place the affected arm on a tabletop, lap tray or pillow. •
Place your feet flat on the floor or foot rest.
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
IP.IE.56.0717