Care of the Affected Arm & Shoulder Stroke Series Pain after stroke Weakness on one side of the body is one of the most common side eff ects of stroke. This can lead to problems like shoulder pain.
How do I look after it?
What causes shoulder pain? After a stroke, the muscles and ligaments around the shoulder joints become very weak, stiff or paralysed. When the arm hangs by the side of the body for a long time, you will feel sore because you have overstrained your shoulder joint. Shoulder pain can also develop if the bone in your upper arm and shoulder blade move apart (shoulder subluxation). This happens because the muscles that hold this joint are too weak to keep it in place.
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Never pull on the affected arm.
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Avoid lift ing patients using their affected arms.
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Do not force any movement on the affected arm.
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Avoid the use of slings as this encourages the onset of joint stiff ness and deformity of the affected arm.
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Use shoulder supports recommended by therapists.
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See other side for ways to lie and sit to reduce the pain.