Shoulder pain and concomitant hand oedema among stroke patients with pronounced arm paresis

The aim of this prospective study was to identify clinical factors associated with the development of shoulder pain in stroke patients with pronounced arm paresis.

At stroke onset, 485 patients were initially assessed in 2007-2009. Sixty-three patients with pronounced arm paresis completed the study, and 21 of these developed shoulder pain. Clinical findings were recorded fortnightly by the attending physiotherapist during hospital stay.

Hand oedema on the paretic side was more common in patients developing shoulder pain compared with those who did not develop shoulder pain. The onset of shoulder pain was associated with concomitant hand oedema. High NIHSS score was associated with developing shoulder pain. Patients with a history of shoulder pain developed pain earlier than those without previous shoulder pain. Patients with haemorrhagic stroke were significantly more prone to developing shoulder pain.

One-third of the stroke patients with pronounced arm paresis developed shoulder pain. Concomitant hand oedema seems to be an additional symptom of shoulder injury. Patients with low general status are more vulnerable to develop post-stroke shoulder pain.