Read the latest on arm and hand recovery

We’re pleased to let you know that we’ve updated one of our much-read Stroke Foundation fact sheets, Arm, hand and shoulder after stroke. You may also know the fact sheet by its previous title “Upper limb management after stroke.”

In rewriting the fact sheet we made sure to follow our principle of listening to the voice of lived experience. We held two workshops, which gave us lots of feedback on the old fact sheet, what worked and what didn’t, and what people would like to see more of.

One clear message was that “upper limb” was too clinical a term, and people preferred that we call it what it is.

Note though that the new title includes the shoulder, which is an important joint that can be seriously impacted by stroke. We’ve included advice on treatment for shoulder subluxation, which is when muscle changes make the arm bone sit slightly lower in the shoulder socket.

All the recommendations are based on evidence from the living stroke guidelines. This includes one recent, strongly endorsed treatment for arm weakness using weight exercises. The weights are to gradually increase as you improve, which builds strength and movement in your muscles.

We’ve also put in some tips for living with changes to your arm, hand and shoulder. This includes a link to our i-REBOUND website, with its list of one-handed hints & hacks.

Thanks to all the experts with lived experience who helped us put this fact sheet back together. We hope that everyone who needs it gets something useful from it.

You can read the factsheet online, or download a PDF.

Please tell us what you think, and what you find works for your arm, hand and shoulder.