Can physiotherapy help my mom recover from a one-sided paralysis?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother has left side paralysis since three years. At the very instant she had it, we started physiotherapy. At that time, we also got an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain done, reports of which I am attaching. In the report, it was mentioned that both the internal carotid artery (ICA) are normal and we continued the physiotherapy. After that, we again got an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) done last year, which was an MRI of the brain with neck vessels and intracranial circulation. This report shows that in the right ICA there is 60 to 70 % stenosis and 30 to 40 % stenosis in the left ICA. So, I want to ask you if there is any need for a doppler ultrasound. Should we get this removed? Will it help in recovery? I ask because my mother has not yet recovered fully. Right now, she is taking Asomex 2.5, Folydol-M, Atorva 10 mg and Ecosprin 75 mg. So, please help me with this query.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen the reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The neck doppler needs to be done to estimate the size of the stenosis. If it is more than 70 %, you will need to take her for a carotid endarterectomy procedure. Right now, I suggest the following: 1. Increase Atorvastatin to 20 mg and continue the blood pressure (BP) medications and Ecosprin 75 mg. 2. Maintain good oral hygiene. 3. Do exercises regularly. 4. Continue physiotherapy. Recovery from the previous stroke will be slow but continuous. Physiotherapy can help improve her strength. Removing the stenosis will help reduce a risk of a future stroke. It will not help in any way for the recovery from her old stroke. I hope this answers your query. Take care. Feel free to contact me for any further assistance.