A Day in the Life of a Stroke Survivor with Spasticity
A Day in the Life of a Stroke Survivor with Spasticity
Spasticity is a common condition that can be under diagnosed and under treated. Spreading awareness about spasticity may help stroke survivors, their families and caregivers to better understand this condition.
Content
0.792 -> (calm music)
4.53 -> - My name is Bill Monroe
6.16 -> and I had an ischemic stroke
in 2017 at the age of 46.
11.16 -> About a month after my
stroke I noticed that
13.68 -> my limbs on my left side
were having muscle spasms
18.743 -> and that made everyday
activities difficult.
22.02 -> During a doctor visit I learned that
23.73 -> these muscle spasms were called spasticity
26.68 -> and it's a common
condition after a stroke.
30.022 -> - After a stroke the
signals from the brain
32.39 -> that allow muscles to
relax can be blocked,
34.5 -> causing the muscle on the stroke side
35.98 -> to tighten and spasm.
37.2 -> This is spasticity.
38.4 -> It can range in severity
from mild stiffness
40.36 -> to severe, painful spasms,
42.17 -> like a Charlie horse that won't go away.
44.07 -> Spasticity can set in weeks, months,
45.87 -> or even at a year after a stroke.
47.268 -> (calm music)
55.59 -> Spasticity can cause
painful muscle spasms,
57.595 -> difficulty stretching the muscle,
59.945 -> stiffness in the arm,
hand, leg, and ankle,
63.47 -> or an arm to be folded against the chest
65.48 -> with a curled wrist and fingers.
67.92 -> Spasticity can also lead to joints
69.62 -> in the arm and leg to become stuck
71.31 -> or frozen in an abnormal
72.92 -> and possibly painful position.
74.71 -> This is called contracture.
76.42 -> Spasticity and contracture can cause
77.99 -> significant difficulty
with daily living tasks,
80.15 -> such as bathing, eating, and dressing.
82.96 -> It can cause problems
with body positioning,
85.13 -> making it difficult to sit in a chair
86.56 -> or even sleep comfortably.
87.75 -> In the long run lack of comfortable rest
89.9 -> can lead to fatigue
and impaired cognition.
95.52 -> - I have spasticity on my left side.
99.24 -> My fingers curl into a fist
101.04 -> and sometimes it can be
difficult to release them.
106.21 -> The fist can be so tight it can be
108.29 -> hard to get a shirt with a cuff on.
110 -> I also have to make sure that I keep
112.01 -> my fingernails trimmed
113.84 -> because they can actually
dig into my hand.
117.42 -> My left arm is often bent
at a 75 degree angle,
120.433 -> you know, sort of right at the elbow.
122.449 -> And sometimes I can force it straight
125.62 -> but sometimes I can't.
127.619 -> It can prevent me from rotating my wrist
130.07 -> which can also make it difficult
131.67 -> to turn a door knob
133.73 -> or reach for the handle of a car door.
138.693 -> On my foot, my second toe curls
141.88 -> which makes it difficult
to put on shoes or walk.
145.82 -> My spasticity varies during the day.
147.61 -> It can be worse first thing in the morning
149.57 -> or when I'm tired.
151.45 -> - Working with your healthcare team
152.7 -> and having honest and
open dialogue is critical
155.17 -> to addressing your needs as a patient
156.891 -> and your recovery.
158.49 -> Your situation is unique
159.49 -> and every case is different.
161.17 -> There are a number of treatment
162.859 -> options for spasticity which can include
164.33 -> regular stretching with
a wide range of motion,
166.61 -> working with an occupational
and physical therapist
168.88 -> who have expertise with
spasticity management,
171.28 -> braces and splints which can help
172.79 -> to hold the muscle in place
174.41 -> and stop it from contracting,
176.08 -> oral medications that promote
relaxation of the muscles,
179.281 -> targeted injections with botulinum toxin
182.22 -> into the most effected muscles
183.82 -> which can help reduce tone and
tightness in those muscles.
187.13 -> In some patients with
very severe spasticity
189.57 -> a surgically implanted pump called
191.23 -> an Intrathecal Baclofen Pump,
192.64 -> can be used to deliver medication
194.22 -> directly into the spinal fluid.
197.072 -> Ask your healthcare
provider for recommendations
199.66 -> for devices or modifications in the home
202.86 -> that can help ensure your safety
204.59 -> and reduce your risk of falls.
206.36 -> Your healthcare provider will prescribe
207.85 -> the best approach to your treatment
209.4 -> depending on the severity
of your spasticity.
211.982 -> (upbeat music)
214.816 -> - My spasticity has lessened over time.
217.21 -> I'm always telling the muscles
218.57 -> that they need to do something
220.35 -> so that over time they can learn
222.57 -> how to do it as I recover.
224.687 -> I have a goal of running one day.
228.269 -> There are ways to treat
and manage spasticity.
231.244 -> Like me, talk to your healthcare team
234.172 -> about the most effective options for you.
237.803 -> (calm music)
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZScMlYB8mls