Title: Upper limb pain and decline in strength during rehabilitation for a lower limb injury
Abstract: Background/aim: This study aimed to establish changes in upper limb strength and range of motion that may occur over a short period of time when rehabilitation is focused on lower limb injuries. Methods: The research study was a single group with a pre-post design. A total of 24 patients receiving therapy services for a lower limb injury received an upper limb assessment on admission then three weeks later during lower limb inpatient rehabilitation. Upper limb assessment involved goniometry, dynamometric evaluations, manual muscle testing (MMT) and an assessment of pain. Findings: A significant decrease in right grasp strength (change of −1.2, 95% CI: −2.4–0.0, P=0.04) occurred between Time 1 (initial admission) and Time 2 (three weeks later). There was a decrease of more than 3° for right shoulder flexion (−3.1, CI −6.2, −0.1) and abduction (−4, CI −8.1, −0.17) between Times 1 and 2. Approximately 42% of participants reported musculoskeletal pain at both times. Pain occurred most commonly in the shoulders. Pain intensity showed a significant increase (P=0.04) between Time 1 (4.8) and Time 2 (6.3). Conclusion: When patients are admitted for lower limb injuries, strengthening exercises for the upper limbs should be considered as patients rely more on upper limb strength when lower limb function is decreased.
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-03-02
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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