“What rehabilitation is needed after a stroke?”

Hello, depending on the severity of the stroke, and the type of stroke on MRI, rehab might include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or splinting. Contact a physician for an exam, work up if needed, and a rehab. Referral. Good luck my friend.

What kind of stroke? Any limb weakness or speech problems? Any difficulty swallowing? Need more information. Rehabilitation always help to some extent.

That is a question better directed to your friend's primary care provider. A consultation with a physiatrist (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) would be well advised.

Rehabilitation, after stroke, is highly individualized from one patient to another. It is NOT a one fit all treatment modality.

Stroke rehabilitation is best attained in a facility staffed with therapists and a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialist, practicing stroke rehabilitation since not all physiatrists practice stroke rehabilitation.

Stroke rehabilitation covers critical areas of mobility, ADL tasks, speech, cognitive, and medical management of stroke sequelae that encompasses issues like headaches, pain, depression, and bowel/bladder dysfunctions.

Here are some generic guidelines for stroke rehabilitation that would form the basis of a sound rehabilitation course in a patient who has had a stroke:

a) Promote mobility:
• exercises whose goal is to enable a patient develop in and out of bed mobility.
• motor-skill type exercises - for muscle strength and coordination.
• constraint-induced therapy - to use affected paralyzed musculature.
• Range-of-motion therapy - to minimize contracture formation.

b) promote ADL/self-care tasks:
• engage in basic ADL task re-training.

c) Promote speech, cognitive and emotional functioning:
• Therapy sessions for speech, cognitive disorders (memory, processing, problem-solving) - including swallowing and eating.

d) Manage spasticity

e) Manage bowel/bladder dysfunction

f) Manage conditions that increase risks of having further strokes

g) Manage post stroke depression (can occur after one has had a stroke)
• Monitor and treat.

h) Manage post stroke pain
• Monitor and treat central and peripheral pain as well.

It depends on their impairments, but usually a combination of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy may all be viable.