Entrapment neuropathies in chronic stroke patients

Stroke is the third most common cause of mortality and is one of the most common causes of morbidity in the world. Entrapment neuropathies may cause morbidity after stroke. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the development of entrapment neuropathies in severe stroke patients within the chronic stages of the event. Thirty-two patients with first ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were included in the study. The nerve conduction studies were performed at least 6 months after the event. Ten age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were evaluated as control subjects. Twelve patients (37.5%) had median nerve neuropathy at the wrist, and 12 patients (37.5%) had ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow in the symptomatic extremities. Eight patients (25%) had median nerve neuropathy at the wrist, and 6 patients (18.7%) had ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow in the asymptomatic extremities. Our results confirm that in chronic stroke patients, the entrapment neuropathies may be an important cause for morbidity, and these entrapment neuropathies could be seen bilaterally but more prominent in the paretic sides.