Stroke recovery varies for each individual
Stroke recovery stages vary for each person.
Healing after astrokecan be a challenging and emotional process, and it is different for everyone.
However, experts have identified a general pattern of motor recovery from stroke.
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This article discusses theBrunnstromstages of stroke recovery and what you might expect from rehabilitation after a stroke.
Today, physical and occupational therapists still use Brunnstrom’s stages to assess motor recovery post-stroke.
Everyone who has had a stroke is different.
The steps in stroke recovery should be viewed as a general pattern and not an absolute path.
The Brunnstrom stages refer to movement recovery in the upper limb, lower limb, and hands.
A person can be in different stages of recovery in each arm or leg.
Stroke Recovery Stage One: Flaccidity
The first stage of stroke recovery isflaccidity.
It occurs immediately after a stroke.
Post-stroke, muscles will be weak, limp, or even “floppy.”
Many people have more severe symptoms in their upper limbs or hands than they do in their lower limbs.
Flaccidity happens when there is damage in the brain from a stroke.
The brain can no longer send messages to certain areas of the body to move.
You may have some voluntary movement back at this point, but not much.
Spasticity happens as the brain starts to rebuild connections with the muscles.
In a way, spasticity is sort of a positive thing.
Your brain is still working to rebuild connections with your muscles.
During this stage of stroke recovery, you will continue with and progress in your therapeutic exercises.
This is a big milestone in the stroke recovery process.
With the remaining spasticity, you may still have trouble releasing objects.
For example, you might be able to grasp a fork but unable to let go of it.
With fewer spastic movements, you will have much better coordination for doing complex movement patterns.
At this stage of stroke recovery, focus on practicing and refining your coordination and fine motor skills.
You are able to return to your meaningful occupations with independence.
What If I Don’t Reach Stage Seven?
For some people, spontaneous recovery might be a full recovery.
In other people, it means jumping ahead a stage or two in the stroke recovery process.
It also needs to reorganize and rebuild neuronal connections that were destroyed.
These neurons connect different areas of the brain and send messages from your brain to your body.
This rebuilding process is calledneuroplasticity.
In the early stages of stroke recovery, neuroplasticity can work fast.
When many new connections have been built, your stroke recovery may seem spontaneous.
Recovery Timeline
Spontaneous recovery is most likely to occur in the first three to six months post-stroke.
This is the time when your brain is most “plastic” and intensive therapy is most important.
A landmark 2019 study found that neuroplasticity and recovery are possible even years after a stroke.
Each year, 25% of strokes are recurrent.
About two-thirds of people who have a stroke will survive and require rehabilitation.
In the U.S., there are around 7 million stroke survivors.
Stroke treatment also involves medical care.
Stroke treatment takes place in a variety of parameters, often starting in a hospital emergency department.
It’s key to get treatment as soon as possible to prevent more brain damage.
Summary
Stroke recovery is unique to each person.
Other factors like overall health, socioeconomics, and the key in and severity of the stroke affect recovery.
Another 25% recover with only minor impairments after a stroke.
Assuming you are medically stable, therapy should begin within 24 hours of a stroke.
Many people see improvements as early as just a few days after their stroke.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment and intervention for stroke.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Post-stroke rehabilitation fact sheet.
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Cassidy JM, Cramer SC.Spontaneous and therapeutic-induced mechanisms of functional recovery after stroke.Transl Stroke Res.
2019;122(1):350-357. doi:10.1152/jn.00762.2018
National Institute on Aging.Stroke: Signs, causes, and treatment.
American Occupational Therapy Association.ADL interventions for adults with stroke.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stroke recovery timeline.
Northwestern Medicine.Life after stroke.
