Need some advice on long term rehab for a stroke victim.

[flamin lib]

She's early 70s and had a stroke about 15 years ago. Has no use of left arm, some use of left leg but that is compromised by a knee replacement that went bad so there is muscle damage. I would like to help her start a low key exercise program. We walk at a local park and she can use a walker. She can manage about 100 yards but the last 25 or so she is really tired.

When she walks she leads with the weak left leg and brings the strong right foot to level with the left. This limits her stride to about 12-15 inches, Her Physical therapist told her she should lead with the strong leg so she could lengthen her stride and walking speed but she hasn't been able to break the habit.

I had a thought that perhaps a low step could help her build strength in her strong leg and perhaps develop more muscle tone in the weak left leg. I'm thinking 6" tall and wide/deep enough to comfortably accommodate both feet easily. We could place it next to the kitchen counter for support and do several reps of step up/step back building over time.

So the questions are: Is this a good plan? Is there a recommended dimension for such an exercise tool?

[abqtommy]

1. You might check with the medical professionals but I think you're on the right track.

Some years ago the ladies in my neighborhood hovered around a man who was recovering from a
stroke and asked me to help him. I talked to him and his only request was that I go buy him some whisky to help him cope and deal with his pain. so I went to the liquor store and bought him two
bottles every week. We all do what we can...

[FailureToCommunicate]

2. I admire your desire to want to help increase her strength, but maybe just

walking with her - however well or poorly she manages- is the very best thing you are providing. Strokes are a strange thing...she may be using all her strength and attention to manage the walking she already does with you. An attempt to increase her stamina thru a step up motion or similar might be more detrimental then helpful, just balance wise. You said she has no use of her left arm and limited left leg ability, but she is probably using all her strength to use her left arm to just steady her gait on the walker, for each step.

If she is right handed, or even left handed she might have had a lifetime of leading her stride with the left foot. To use her "stronger" right leg might seem like learning to walk all over again.

I would strongly suggest sticking with whatever the physical therapist says, not try to push something on your own.

Again, I applaud your willingness to want to help, but maybe just the willingness to walk with her is the very best thing you are doing.

(I have no expertise to arrive at that advice, but my son is a physical therapist, and I've spent a lifetime around people with disabilities, for whatever that's worth.)