A swollen arm after a stroke could cause discomfort, pain and difficulty performing day by day activities. Although swelling within the arms and hands can occur in many individuals after a stroke, individuals with hemiplegia (one-sided paralysis) or hemiparesis (one-sided weakness) are particularly in danger. Lack of movement within the affected limb is usually the primary reason for swelling, although other causes are likely.
It is necessary for stroke survivors to consult with their healthcare team in the event that they experience swelling after a stroke. Primary care physicians can often help determine the reason for swelling and supply appropriate treatment recommendations.
This text explains why it’s possible you’ll experience swelling in your arms and hands after a stroke and describes various treatment options. Use the links below to go on to any section of this text.
Swelling and lymphatic system
After a stroke, many individuals experience excessive fluid accumulation within the arm and/or hand, which causes swelling. This fluid, often known as lymphatic fluid or lymph, normally flows throughout the body carrying infection-fighting white blood cells.
The lymphatic system is the a part of the immune system designed to filter toxins and control fluid levels within the body. When fluid leaks from the tiny blood vessels, the lymphatic system collects the fluid, filters it, after which returns it to the blood vessels through one among two lymphatic ducts within the upper chest.
When the lymphatic system is functioning properly, muscle and joint movements help move lymph throughout the body. When muscles contract, the pumping force within the lymphatic vessels increases, allowing fluid to flow faster.
Lymph flows through the lymphatic vessels and eventually reaches the lymph nodes, where it’s filtered. Most lymph nodes are positioned near the joints. Moving your joints helps activate your lymph nodes, allowing them to proceed filtering and pumping lymphatic fluid throughout your body. Nonetheless, when muscle and joint mobility is restricted, lymph flow could also be impaired, resulting in fluid accumulation within the affected tissues.
What causes arm swelling after a stroke?
The buildup of fluid within the arms or legs is named peripheral edema. Although there are lots of causes of peripheral edema, essentially the most common reason for peripheral edema in stroke survivors is hemiparesis (unilateral weakness).
Because individuals with hemiparesis often don’t move the affected arm commonly, the lymphatic system cannot depend on muscle and joint movements to effectively pump lymphatic fluid out of the arm. This could cause fluid to build up within the arm and hand, which can appear externally as swelling.
Other potential causes of post-stroke swelling include:
- Lack of physical activity
- Unwanted side effects of recent drugs
- Be obese
- High sodium intake
- Blood clotting
- Infection
- Hot and humid weather
Within the hospital after a stroke, the medical team can discover and treat swelling. Should you experience swelling in your arm after being discharged from the hospital, it is vital to proactively seek medical attention. Because there are lots of ways to treat swelling in your arms and hands after a stroke, be sure you seek the advice of your doctor, physical therapist, and/or occupational therapist to find out which treatment can be best.
The importance of exercise within the treatment of arm swelling
Movement is usually the primary line of defense against swelling after a stroke. Because joint and muscle movement promotes lymph flow, moving the affected arm may help pump out excess fluid and reduce swelling.
While lively movement is good for promoting lymph flow, passive movement may also help reduce swelling. Lively movement occurs when muscles are voluntarily activated, meaning the survivor moves with none assistance.
Passive movement, however, occurs when the body is moved by an external force, comparable to when a therapist moves the victim’s arm in a particular motion. Although passive movement will not be as useful as lively movement, it could possibly be a superb tool for treating swelling when mobility is restricted by conditions comparable to post-stroke paralysis.
Arm exercises are a terrific strategy to encourage arm movement, but simply using the affected arm during day by day activities may also help reduce swelling. Using the affected arm during day by day activities may also prevent learned disuse or gradual deterioration of function of the affected limb.
Along with supporting the flow of lymphatic fluids, consistent use of the affected arm and hand through exercises and therapeutic activities may help remodel the brain through neuroplasticity. Subsequently, arm movements are a terrific strategy to relieve swelling and encourage recovery. A physical or occupational therapist will be a terrific source of knowledge about which lively and passive exercises could also be best in promoting recovery and reducing swelling.
Other treatments for arm swelling after a stroke
Although intentionally moving the affected arm often helps relieve swelling, there are several other techniques that can also be really helpful:
Deal with the elevation
Gravity can have a big effect on swelling. When the arm rests on its side with the fingers pointing down, gravity pulls the lymphatic fluid down. This could potentially cause more fluid to build up within the hand and fingers since the lymphatic system must work against gravity to pump fluid throughout the arm.
An easy strategy to avoid that is to boost your arm and, if possible, raise it above your heart. Elevation promotes more efficient flow of lymphatic fluid, and gravity helps reduce swelling fairly than exacerbate it.
Wear compression garments
Using a tight-fitting compression garment can also be an efficient treatment for arm swelling after a stroke. Fitted gloves and compression sleeves may help get fluid back into the circulation. Survivors concerned with trying compression garments should consult with their therapist to be certain they’re purchasing the correct kind of garment that matches properly.
Massage the swollen limb
Massage may help stimulate fluid circulation, which can help reduce swelling within the arm. To stimulate the flow of fluid, move your fingers from the toes upwards towards the armpits through the massage. Massaging on this direction causes the fluid to maneuver up and out of the arm, fairly than being pushed back down into the arm and hand.
There are lots of massage techniques designed to scale back swelling. Some techniques use firm pressure, others concentrate on improving lymph flow through gentle, light strokes. Before starting massage, survivors should consult with their doctor or therapist to seek out out which massage techniques can be best.
Kinesiotaping
Therapeutic taping techniques may also help redirect fluid flow from the arm and hand. Kinesiology tape is a skinny, stretchable tape designed to be placed directly on the skin. Special taping techniques may help stimulate lymphatic flow by gently stretching the skin and underlying tissues. Survivors concerned with trying kinesio taping to scale back swelling of their arms and hands should consult with their physical therapist or occupational therapist to learn more.
Techniques comparable to electrical stimulation, acupuncture, deep respiration, and laser therapy can also be really helpful to scale back arm swelling after a stroke. Nonetheless, there may be a general lack of research on one of the best methods for relieving arm swelling after stroke. Subsequently, it’s strongly really helpful to seek the advice of a health care provider and/or therapist before starting treatment.
Further recommendations
Although elevation, compression, massage, and/or kinesio taping could also be effective in temporarily reducing swelling, these treatments are intended to combat the symptoms of swelling, not treat the cause. When swelling is brought on by an absence of lymphatic flow on account of limited mobility, it is usually best to make use of therapeutic movement at the side of the opposite techniques listed above.
It is necessary for individuals who notice latest areas of swelling after a stroke to make an appointment to consult with their doctor. Although swelling is usually easy to treat and will not be alarming, it could possibly even be brought on by a serious condition, comparable to a blood clot.
Some people experience chronic or severe swelling after a stroke. This will indicate a more major problem, comparable to lymphedema. On this case, it is strongly recommended that individuals work with a licensed lymphedema therapist, a specialist trained in specialized lymphedema treatment techniques.
Understanding arm and hand swelling after a stroke
Many stroke survivors may experience post-stroke arm swelling. This is usually the results of excessive fluid accumulation within the affected arm on account of limited mobility.
Typically, essentially the most effective strategy to treat swelling is a mix of treatments. Ask your therapist for recommendations on body positioning, compression garments, massage, and exercise programs.
Most physical and occupational therapists have general knowledge of the treatment of post-stroke edema. Nonetheless, for individuals with extremely persistent or severe swelling, it is strongly recommended to ask your doctor or therapist if there may be an area certified lymphedema therapist who can provide more specialized care.