Open AccessUltrasonographic Findings in Hemiplegic Knees of Stroke Patients
Author(s) -
Yang ChaoPin,
Lee ChiaLing,
Chen TienWen,
Lee Su,
Weng MingCheng,
Huang MaoHsiung
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.439
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2410-8650
pISSN - 1607-551X
DOI - 10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70280-3
Subject(s) - medicine , stroke (engine) , effusion , soft tissue , rehabilitation , joint effusion , hematoma , tendinitis , surgery , radiology , tendon , physical therapy , magnetic resonance imaging , mechanical engineering , engineering
Clinical and radiologic asymmetric arthritic differences between paralyzed and nonparalyzed limbs of stroke patients have been reported. Arthritic pathology aggravates motor dysfunction and compromises rehabilitation. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography plays an important role in showing soft tissue and the articular cartilage of the knee. Fifty‐nine patients with either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke‐induced right or left hemiplegia were recruited to evaluate soft‐tissue and intra‐articular cartilage changes in hemiplegic knees of stroke patients using ultrasonography. An additional 15 subjects (30 knees) without knee disease or a history of knee trauma or surgery were used as controls. There were significant differences in suprapatellar effusion and patellar tendinitis between hemiplegic and nonhemiplegic knees. Suprapatellar effusion and pes anserinus tendinitis were correlated with Brunnstrom stage. The length of time since stroke onset was not significantly correlated with positive ultrasonographic findings in hemiplegic knees. In conclusion, ultrasonography is useful for detecting periarticular soft‐tissue changes and intra‐articular lesions in hemiplegic knees of stroke patients.