Movement / Walking

Q. Why can't the patient move properly? After a brain injury, movement can be affected by the following:

• Muscle control: when the injury to the brain results in problems of communication between the brain and the muscles. This can result in someone not being able to move one side of their body or one limb at all. Sometimes the patient may be able to move but have poor co-ordination and balance.
• Orthopaedic injury: fractures or nerve damage to arms or legs
• Muscle shortening: due to inactivity and resting in one position muscles become short and limit joint movement
• Fitness: decreased strength and fitness due to inactivity

Q. Will the patient recover from paralysis?

Sometimes people have rapid recovery in their ability to move as the swelling in the brain decreases. However it may take a long time depending on the extent of the injury. Practicing tasks the person has difficulty with encourages the re-establishment of pathways between the brain and the muscles. We encourage the family and friends of patients to help with their physiotherapy practice. If you would like to be involved with this talk to the physiotherapist about what sort of practice is best.

Q. Can I practice walking with the patient?

Your physiotherapist will guide you as to when it is time for the patient to start walking. If people can't walk on their own they first need to work on improving their muscle control so that their balance is more effective. It is not a good idea to practise walking holding onto someone or using a walking frame because they don't learn to balance on their own.

Last modified: Thursday, 20 April 2006