Post stroke shoulder pain: more common than previously realized
- 1 September 2000
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in European journal of pain
- Vol. 4 (3), 313-315
- https://doi.org/10.1053/eujp.2000.0192
Abstract
Stroke is a common disease often requiring rehabilitation, which may be prolonged by shoulder pain. The true incidence of post stroke shoulder pain has not been fully evaluated. In order to establish this, we undertook a prospective study of 123 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute stroke during a 6-month period. Patients were assessed by interview, full rheumatological and neurological examination, 14 days post stroke, for a history of shoulder pain according to predetermined criteria. In addition, Barthel Index, HAD score and pain scores were also recorded. Twenty-five percent of patients developed shoulder pain within 2 weeks of their stroke. There was a statistically significant association with ipsilateral sensory impairment (p < 0.005), abnormal rheumatological examination (p < 0.001) and depression score (p < 0.005). We conclude that post stroke shoulder pain is more common than previously realized and in addition to abnormal shoulder joint examination may also be associated with upper limb sensory impairment. Thorough neurological examination is required to detect sensory loss and hence establish patients at risk. This is probably best done by a structured proforma.This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit:
- Prevalence of shoulder pain in the community: the influence of case definitionAnnals Of The Rheumatic Diseases, 1997
- Complications After Acute StrokeStroke, 1996
- Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP): Natural history and investigation of associated featuresDisability and Rehabilitation, 1996
- Improving the Recording of the Clinical Assessment of Stroke Patients using a Clerking Pro FormaAge and Ageing, 1995
- CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE: Sensory consequences of strokeThe Lancet, 1993