Approach-oriented Physiotherapeutic Management of a Patient with Right Thalamic Bleed: A Case Report

Abstract

Rehabilitation is essential for stroke recovery. Professionals with experience in stroke rehabilitation from the different fields should make up a basic multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation team. A stroke is the sudden loss of blood supply to the brain followed by a neurological deficit for more than 24 hours. A 42-year-old male patient presented with chief complaints of sudden weakness over one side of the body, slurred speech and blurred vision. The patient showed typical features of stroke-like tonal abnormalities, altered sensorium, diminished reflexes, reduced range of motion and strength. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed bleeding in the right lenticular capsular, basal ganglia and intraparenchymal part of the thalamus. The physiotherapy treatment started from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) itself for better results with the collaboration of neurosurgeons and nurses, after the surgery. The Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) approach and Rood’s approach were used to generate neuroplasticity as early as possible. The motor relearning program helped to regain the movements. Various outcome measures like the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Brunstorm grading, and Barthel index showed many crucial changes in tone, strength, balance, and coordination that improved the patient’s Quality of Life (QoL). Also, speech therapists and neuro-optometrist play an important role during rehabilitation.