2021 Volume 21 Pages 52-56
Physical therapists have opportunities to perform physical therapy for patients with cerebrovascular disorder-associated hemiplegia during the acute, convalescent, and chronic phases. However, functional impairment of the trunk and/or pelvic region may cause difficulties for patients with acute hemiplegia to maintain a sitting position or may cause difficulties in standing up or walking for patients with convalescent hemiplegia. Physical therapists also encounter patients with chronic hemiplegia who can walk but have decreased gait performance due to functionally impaired trunk performance. The authors consider that physical therapy must be performed based on a knowledge of kinematics and anatomy to target the primary problem of functional impairment. This article features trunk impairment assessment and physical therapy practice for patients with cerebrovascular disorder-associated hemiplegia.
