Table of Contents
Rehabilitation
Most people who survive a stroke will have some type of disability. But many people are able to make significant improvements through rehabilitation. According to the National Stroke Association:
- 10% of stroke survivors recover almost completely
- 25% recover with minor impairments
- 40% experience moderate-to-severe impairments that require special care
- 10% require care in a nursing home or other long-term facility
For the best chance of improvement and regaining abilities, it is important that rehabilitation starts as soon as possible after a stroke. Rehabilitation therapy is started in the hospital as soon as a patient’s condition has stabilized. Initial range of motion exercises involve a nurse or physical therapist moving a patient’s affected limb (passive exercise) and having the patient practice moving the limb (active exercise). Patients are encouraged to gradually sit, stand, and walk and then to perform tasks of daily living (bathing, dressing, using the toilet).
Some patients will experience the fastest recovery and regain functional abilities in the first few days, while others will continue to show improvement during the first 6 months or longer. Recovery is an ongoing process and with good rehabilitation providers and family support, patients can continue to make progress.
Rehabilitation Services
Review Date: 05/06/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
