Treating Post-Stroke Shoulder Subluxation

Studies show that most patients who sufferProlotherapy is a medical procedure imploring natural
hemiplegia after stroke have shoulder subluxation. Withtreatment wherein solutions are injected into the
incidences higher in severely-paralyzed patients,affected ligaments, tendons, and joints to stimulate an
shoulder subluxation is one of the most commoninflammatory reaction in the body, which in turn, heals
secondary muscoloskeletal problems after stroke.the subluxation.
Shoulder subluxation, nevertheless, can be treated in3. Electrotherapy
various ways.Functional electrical stimulation and cyclical electrical
Also referred to as instability, a shoulder subluxationstimulation of the shoulder muscles reduce subluxation
involves the partial dislocation of the shoulder jointbut prevents it only if treatment is continuous.
wherein the ball of the upper arm bone slips partially4. Exercises
out of the shoulder socket due to spastic musclesExercises vary per patient as shoulder exercises are
pulling the humerus and shoulder blade into abnormalnot for those with a history of shoulder dislocations
positions.prior to their post-stroke shoulder subluxation to avoid
Treatment involves the use of heat or ice packs, painfurther dislocation. To relax muscles which are too
medications, support devices, and shoulder strapping totight, girdle and scapular muscle strengthening
reduce the pain plus various therapies like prolotherapy,exercises are recommended for patients with
closed reduction, hydrotherapy, acupuncture,recurring shoulder dislocations. Weight bearing
electrotherapy, occupational therapy and muscleexercises, rotator cuff strengthening exercises, and
toning-strengthening exercises.shoulder musculature strengthening exercises are
1. Closed Reduction and Immobilization throughoften applied to most stroke patients with shoulder
supportive devicessubluxation. Remember, it is important to implore a
Closed reduction is a medical procedure wherein thegentle, unexaggerated range of motion each time the
head of the humerus is put back into place by applyingpatient is exercised.
a traction to the arm. Afterwards, immobilization takes5. Proper positioning
place through the use of supportive devices for fourProper positioning involves maintaining the correct
weeks to prevent the arm from moving. Supportiveposture while sitting, lying in bed, or doing daily activities.
devices like shoulder cuffs, slings, and braces preventAlways remember to carefully transfer, position, and
trauma during ambulation but prolonging their use canassist stroke patients in daily activities as these are
cause immobility and encourage spasticity.also preventive measures to stroke subluxation.
2. Prolotherapy