physiotherapy for hemiplegia?

Question

a patient of hemiplegia of left side has come for the treatment in the OPD.....what physiotherapy treatment can b given...

Answer 1

Early promise for stroke patients given levodopa and physiotherapy
... levodopa used in combination with physiotherapy could improve motor recovery for ... whether levodopa could enhance the efficacy of physiotherapy after hemiplegia. ...www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-09/l-epf090501.php

Answer 2

Hemiplegia of the left side usually means there is a lesion in the right hemisphere of the brain.

I would take that the patient has no or barely any voluntary control or motor function on the left side of the body. You obviously would start with maintaining range of motion (ROM) by moving the limbs passively. This also promotes stimulation of proprioceptors (receptors for joint position), as well as circulation of blood, and prevents oedema (fluid in the hands and/or feet). Electrical stimulation (ES) may also be started.

Now given the patient has a little motor control, assistive ROM may be instituted. Depending on reflexes available too, facilitation of movement can be started.

It's always best to talk to your doctor regarding prognosis (expectations). Do start rehabilitation as soon as possible, as motor recovery peaks only in months (depending on what caused the hemiplegia).

As the first answer said, there are a couple of drugs that can be coupled with therapy to enhance results. See your doctor for this, as the meds would depend on what caused the weakness in the first place.

Hope this helps and hope the patient recovers fully.