Stroke survivors may understand that recovery from a stroke is a long process, but it is difficult to predict what it will look like in 5 years. Every stroke is different, so everyone recovers at different rates. For this reason, it can be difficult to maintain hope when you experience setbacks along the way.
Fortunately, we know that functional recovery is possible even 5 years after the first stroke. While the timeline for recovery from a stroke can be confusing, there are some patterns to pay attention to. In this article, we will give you a rough idea of what the recovery process after a stroke may look like. Additionally, we’ll discuss various steps you can take to maximize your recovery and achieve your goals.
What to expect while recovering from a stroke
Stroke is a complex neurological injury that can be accompanied by many different side effects. These effects can be sensory, motor, cognitive or emotional and depend largely on the area of the brain affected. In short, the type of stroke you experience will determine what functions are affected. Some survivors experience hemiplegia or hemiparesis, while others may be affected by changes in behavior or difficulty swallowing after a stroke.
Regardless of specific symptoms, most survivors will participate in regular therapy to recover from stroke. Consistent physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy help patients get as close to full recovery as possible. If survivors diligently perform therapeutic exercises, recovery often occurs faster. This is because mass practice or frequent repetition of the exercises prescribed in therapy stimulates neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to remodel itself.
Neuroplasticity is the basis for recovery from stroke, even after 5 years. This natural process allows the brain to switch important neural pathways to other healthy areas of the brain. Over time, you can regain skills you previously lost due to tissue damage caused by a stroke. However, this requires a huge commitment on the part of the survivor.
In most cases, survivors recover most quickly in the first 3 to 6 months after a stroke. This rapid recovery of function occurs when neuroplasticity is most active and is referred to as spontaneous recovery. While this may be the period when stroke survivors see the most rapid improvement, research tells us that recovery is still possible even many years after stroke recovery.
5-year recovery perspective
Survivors who participate in daily therapy or consistent therapy throughout the week often achieve major milestones within 5 years. Survivors of a mild or moderate stroke can sometimes achieve full or near-full recovery at this point. Those who have experienced a severe or massive stroke can still make progress during this stage of recovery.
It’s no secret that survivors will experience the greatest improvement in functionality in the first year after a stroke. However, we want you to understand that improvement is still possible well into the chronic stage of stroke recovery. After 5 years, gross motor skills may return, which means improvement in the basic functions of the arms and legs. However, survivors may still have a long way to go when it comes to motor skills and coordination. Even after 5 years, survivors can still work to fine-tune their movements.
To give you an example, this observational studies looked at how arm function improved in stroke survivors during the first 2 years of recovery. While the greatest improvement was seen in the first month due to increased neuroplasticity, improvement continued to occur after 2 years. This demonstrates the long-term potential for functional recovery that stroke survivors can achieve.
Other case study examined a person who experienced recovery of arm function 23 years after his first stroke. Through intense physical therapy and repetitive exercises, he regained mobility in the years after his initial comeback. Although improvement after the first year after a stroke may seem slow, this research shows that recovery from a stroke is always possible, even after 5 years.
Why some survivors ‘fail to take off’ 5 years after stroke
Overall, the outlook for recovery 5 years after stroke is optimistic for survivors who participate in a daily home exercise program. Whether this is done in a clinic or alone at home, you may continue to notice gradual improvement in your daily tasks as well as greater independence. Although you can expect plateaus in your recovery or occasional regression, you can overcome these setbacks by remaining consistent with your rehabilitation program.
Unfortunately, survivors will experience the opposite if therapy is neglected. If stroke survivors do not exercise or participate in therapy, they will not achieve their recovery potential and their deficits will likely worsen. Concept he learned disuse illustrates this. Neglecting the affected limbs can eventually lead to complete loss of control of those limbs.
This was shown in one test focused on stroke patients 5 years after stroke. The researchers found that “the level of functional and motor performance 5 years after stroke was equivalent to the level measured at 2 months.” Researchers attribute some of the initial benefits during the first 2 months of recovery to the intensity of inpatient rehabilitation. If you do not continue intensive rehabilitation after you are discharged home, you will likely experience stabilization or even loss of the function you previously regained.
How to continue your recovery after 5 years
At Flint Rehab, we agree that rehabilitation requires post-discharge support. Although patients often turn to outpatient therapy afterward, this is not a long-term solution for most. Although many clinics have excellent results, insurance often does not cover more than one or two sessions per week. In some cases, outpatient rehabilitation may not be covered by insurance at all. Given the high costs of rehabilitation services, many survivors remain without adequate access to therapy.
Therefore, if patients want continued improvement after discharge from the hospital and outpatient treatment, they need a strong home therapy regimen. That’s why it’s so important to work with your treatment team to establish meaningful post-stroke goals and review effective exercise guidelines. They will be able to adapt therapeutic exercises to your individual needs and capabilities.
Recovering from a stroke requires consistency and a lot of repetition. However, even the best rehabilitation programs can become monotonous or difficult to maintain consistently. Fortunately, high-tech rehabilitation devices like Flint Rehab’s FitMi home therapy provide motivation and encourage consistency. Even people who have experienced recovery 5 years after a stroke can see significant improvement with FitMi because it encourages frequent repetition of therapeutic exercises. In fact, one patient said this in a FitMi review: “I have so many repeats, I think it’s more in a month than I have in the last 5 years. “Great product.”
Finding a way to stay motivated to continue rehabilitation is extremely important, especially during the chronic recovery phase. Seek support from those around you and take time to research different resources you can use to promote improved function. This may also include taking part in sports activities, taking up a new hobby or joining a stroke support group in your community.
Margaret’s story: 5-year stroke recovery
Many people may find it helpful to hear from other stroke survivors over the age of five. This will help you stay motivated on the road to recovery. Before we end this article, let’s hear the story of Margaret, who survived a stroke, and more than 5 years have passed since the stroke. This was part of her review of the FitMi home therapy that she used during her home rehab.
“In 2010 I had a stroke. Since then, my right arm and both hands have become increasingly cramped. I couldn’t open and close my hands. My hands are clenched and very tense. My arm is pulled to my chest. In June 2017 I received FitMi. My caregivers helped me use FitMi with my hands. While I couldn’t use FitMi every day, I did use it regularly 2 or 3 days a week.
After years of clenching my hands, my hands are starting to loosen. I open and close my hands much easier. My arm is relaxed and not as tight. I am regaining the flexibility of my fingers. I can hold the FitMi discs instead of having caregivers hold my hand over the FitMi and move my hand.
I feel like I’ve made progress in regaining the use of my hands and right arm. My caregivers and occupational therapist agree. I feel encouraged and will continue to use FitMi and feel confident that I will continue to make progress in regaining flexibility and dexterity in my hands and right arm. I am very grateful.”
Anticipating your upcoming trip
As you can see, regular therapy is important during stroke recovery, even after 5 years. No matter what side effects you experience, your daily functioning and independence can improve with time and dedication. To maximize this, continue to work closely with your treatment team and stick to your personalized home exercise program. Since staying motivated can be difficult, find a way to incorporate your favorite activities or home rehabilitation equipment to make your program more enjoyable.
It may be true that the greatest rate of improvement usually occurs in the first months of recovery from a stroke. However, current research shows that benefits can be achieved even after years of rehabilitation. There is no limit to improvement and if you put in the work you will see results. Although progress will be slower and changes may take longer, take steps toward recovery and never lose hope.