Shoulder pain in hemiplegia revisited: contribution of functional electrical stimulation and other therapies.

Objectives: Post-stroke shoulder pain is probably the most frequent complication in hemiplegia and has repercussions on motor rehabilitation and the psychological equilibrium of the patient. The strategies for prevention and treatment are presented.

Aetiology: Among the various factors contributing to the occurrence of shoulder pain in hemiplegia, some are related to the joint, such as lesion of the rotator cuff tendons, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, inferior-anterior subluxation of the head of the humerus, whereas others are related to the neurologic lesion such as central post-stroke pain, lack of sensibility, unilateral neglect and spasticity.

[Influence of testing position on lumbar isokinetic measurements].

Unlabelled: The studies carried out on the lumbar spine, using an isokinetic type machine, showed the importance of the extensor muscles and the force they develop, compared with the flexor muscles. Both the sitting and standing positions were used without determining the better position. MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: To determine how the patients position influenced the performance of the muscles.

The occurrence of the ilio-lumbar syndrome in a spinal cord injury patient.

Study Design: Case report of a 71-year-old man having sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) for 26 years. He started to suffer from low back pain 21 years after his onset and this was diagnosed as ilio-lumbar syndrome (ILS).

Objectives: To describe the problem of low back pain occurring after a change of wheelchair in a SCI, and to indicate the importance of the ilio-lumbar syndrome as a possible cause of low back complaint.

Effect of calcitonin on bone and connective tissue metabolism in hemiplegic patients: a two-year prospective study.

Objectives: To test the effects of 200 IU/day of a nasal spray of salmon calcitonin in modulating the increased bone tissue metabolism observed in hemiplegic patients.

Design: A two-year, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Patients: Thirty-four patients with hemiplegia due to a cerebrovascular accident were included in the study during the first month after onset of hemiplegia after giving their informed consent.