Assessment of motion ranges of knee and ankle joints of the affected limbs in patients with hemiparesis after cerebrovascular accidents

Background. Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is one of the most serious health problems in the developed countries. Patients who conclude early stroke rehabilitation (i.e. 2-3 months after the stroke) should be able to walk unassisted or with little help.

Objective.  The aim of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of early specialized stroke rehabilitation by means of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), based on the analysis of mobility ranges of knee and ankle joints of the affected limbs in patients after CVA.

Material and methods. The study encompassed 30 subjects who had suffered from stroke and participated in PNF rehabilitation at the hospital stroke ward. Among subjects, there were 13 men and 17 women, aged ± 66.1. On average, patients spent 28 days at the ward. The first exam was carried out prior to  rehabilitation , on the admission day, while the follow-up exam was conducted on the day the patient left the ward.

Results.  Noticeable reduction of deficits in knee and ankle joint motion of the affected limb was observed. The second exam proved significant increase in bending ranges of the affected limb. Range of limb strengthening did not change. Subjects with left-sided hemiparesis displayed greater mobility deficits in motion ranges of knee and ankle joints, compared to right-sided hemiparesis patients.

Conclusions. Using PNF in early rehabilitation noticeably improved mobility of the affected limbs in patients after CVA.